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Baylor releases statement after Ashtyn Hawkins ruled ineligible by NCAA

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh05/14/25griffin_mcveigh
on3.com/baylor-quarterback-rj-martinez-enters-ncaa-transfer-portal/

Baylor was expecting to get another season of eligibility out of wide receiver Ashtyn Hawkins. Due to players with JUCO experience receiving another year from the NCAA, Hawkins was originally told the same applied to him. However, he recently announced on Instagram Live that the NCAA went back on their word.

Shortly after, a statement was released by Baylor on the situation. A university working with the NCAA in a fight to allow a player another season of eligibility is nothing new. Baylor will now do the same, attempting to get Hawkins back on the field.

“We intend for Ashtyn to be part of our program this upcoming season and are actively working with the NCAA to explore all eligibility options,” Baylor said in a statement via SicEm365. “We will have no further comment on this matter at this time.”

Hawkins falls into the same category as many with a JUCO stop on their resume. The court ruling in favor of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia opened up a lot of doors. So while normal circumstances would have meant Hawkins’ college football career was over, Pavia’s case gave new life to players across the country.

Baylor snagged Hawkins out of the NCAA transfer portal last offseason after three years at Texas State. His career began back in 2020 at Cisco Community College. If he were to regain his eligibility, the 2025 season would be his sixth in college football.

Head coach Dave Aranda will be losing quite a productive receiver if not. Hawkins was second on the team across the board in the three major wide receiver stats. He finished with 45 receptions for 567 yards and five touchdowns. Only Josh Cameron bested him, who is also returning for another year with the Bears.

If there is any upside to the situation, Baylor has some time before officially taking the field. Spring ball is over and summer workouts will soon commence. Based on the statement released from Waco, the Bears expect to have Hawkins go through activities with the program.

Baylor will open the 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 29, with a massive nonconference showdown against the Auburn Tigers. McLane Stadium will play host, proving to be a great opportunity for Baylor to earn a win against an SEC opponent. Everyone will be hoping Hawkins winds up making an impact and his case with the NCAA gets resolved in a timely fashion.