Baylor junior running back Dawson Pendergrass will miss the entire 2025 season after suffering a foot injury during fall camp, head coach Dave Aranda announced Saturday.
“He’s out for the year. It’s too bad. It’s a misfortune,” Aranda said in a press conference via Baylor Bears on SicEm365. “He’s going to have to get surgery on his foot.”
The 6’2” power back was coming off a breakout 2024 season in which he rushed for 671 yards and five touchdowns while adding 103 receiving yards and a score. Over two seasons in Waco, he’s totaled more than 1,300 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns.
He was expected to serve as the No. 2 back, behind Bryson Washington, ahead of the team’s season opener against Auburn on Aug. 29.
True freshman Caden Knighten, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl MVP, could also carve out a role in his first season behind Washington.
After Baylor opens its season against the Tigers, the program will travel to face SMU, a team that made the College Football Playoff last year. The Bears will look to continue their consistent run game without Pendergrass, after ranking seventh in the Big 12 last season.
Pendergrass is expected to redshirt this season, preserving two years of eligibility. His return in 2026 will give Baylor a proven back to pair with a now-seasoned supporting cast.
