Baylor’s going to be looking for a new kicker this offseason, as Connor Hawkins has officially entered the transfer portal. The redshirt sophomore was steady all year and quietly one of the most consistent players on the roster, so this isn’t a headline grabber, but it’s still a real loss.
Hawkins went 18-of-22 on field goals this past season and nailed a 53-yarder to beat Kansas State, which ended up being one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable year for the Bears. That kick was a legit pressure moment, and Hawkins stepped up and drilled it.
There’s no real drama here. He wasn’t benched. He wasn’t struggling. He’s just hitting the portal with some momentum, probably looking for a bigger stage or a program where he can get more exposure. You don’t get a lot of proven college kickers in the portal who’ve already shown they can hit from distance and do it in clutch spots. Somebody’s going to pick him up fast.
For Baylor, this one stings a little more than it might seem at first glance. Having a reliable kicker changes how you call games. It gives the offense more flexibility, especially when drives stall out in no-man’s land. Dave Aranda didn’t have many things he could count on in 2025, but Hawkins was definitely one of them. Replacing him won’t be easy, and now the Bears are heading into the offseason with another position to address.
Hawkins is going to land somewhere that needs a steady leg, and he’s got multiple years left to play. It’s not the loudest move of portal season, but it’s one of those under-the-radar shifts that could end up being huge for somebody down the line.
