Baylor’s defense has suffered a major blow before taking the field against Auburn.
Senior safety Jacob Redding will miss Saturday’s game against Auburn and the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a torn ACL, according to SicEm365.
Redding attempted to play through the knee injury late in fall camp while wearing a large brace, but ultimately required surgery, ending his senior season before it could begin.
It’s a tough loss for the Bears, as Redding was selected as one of Baylor’s single-digit jersey honorees and was expected to play a significant role in defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman’s first season in Waco.
The former walk-on emerged as one of the few bright spots on Baylor’s defense in 2025. Redding appeared in 11 games, making nine starts while finishing with 53 tackles, three interceptions, two pass breakups and 0.5 tackles for loss.
He also finished as Baylor’s highest-graded defender by PFF, earning a 75.2 overall defensive grade. Redding received an 81.4 grade against the run, an 80.0 tackling grade and a 69.8 mark in coverage.
Baylor’s Defensive Options to Replace Redding
Fortunately for Baylor, safety is one position where the Bears have some experienced options.
Northwestern transfer Devin Turner is expected to play a major role after recovering from the torn ACL he suffered last spring. Former Kansas State safeties Colby McCalister and Daniel Cobbs have also worked at multiple spots in the secondary and could see their responsibilities increase without Redding.
Veterans Tyler Turner and Micah Gifford provide additional depth.
Still, replacing Redding won’t be easy. Baylor enters a critical season needing significant improvement defensively, and losing one of its most dependable and experienced players before the opener is a significant setback for the Bears.
