Baylor’s backfield just took a hit with Joseph Dodds officially entering the transfer portal. The freshman running back didn’t light up the stat sheet this fall, but he was one of the more promising young guys on the roster, and now he’s on his way out.
Dodds was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class and had the kind of pedigree that made you think he’d be a factor in the near future. He finished his freshman season with 26 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown, which isn’t a ton, but it was enough to show he could handle real snaps.
Baylor’s offense is losing a piece, and while Dodds wasn’t RB1, his exit cuts into the future depth. Everyone gets banged up, everyone needs rotation guys, and Dodds looked like the kind of player who could carve out a significant role next year. Instead, he’s going to test the market.
This isn’t some massive meltdown moment, but it is another reminder of how fast things move now. A year ago, Dodds was a big-time recruit walking into a Big 12 program. Now he’s moving on after one season. That’s just the reality of college football now, guys want touches, and if they’re not getting them, they’re gone.
Baylor will be fine long-term, but these little losses add up. Dodds might’ve been a rotational guy this year, but next season, he could’ve been more. Now we’ll find out what that looks like in a different jersey.
