Baylor locks in commitment from blue-chip EDGE Jamarion Carlton

Baylor continues to make big moves on the recruiting trail.

That theme continued on Thursday as Dave Aranda and the Bears pulled off a major win — keeping blue-chip EDGE Jamarion Carlton out of Temple (Texas) High School close to home.

Baylor edged past longtime leader Texas along with late surges from Texas Tech and LSU for Carlton, the No. 44 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

“They all showed me love and all made me feel like I was the main priority,” Carlton said of the Bears’ contingent of coaches and front-office personnel, who devoted their time and energy into landing his verbal commitment.

“That coaching staff there and what they’re building … it’s nice down there,” he continued. “The whole staff made me feel like I was a priority and that getting me there was the main thing — and that was big regardless. It’s home and it feels like home.”

Carlton has been in McClane Stadium on multiple occasions dating back to last fall — and returned again this spring for practices to get a closer look at Aranda and Matt Powledge’s defense.

The Bears started to collect some momentum this spring and furthered their standing following his June 20-22 official visit to Waco.

“I’m big on the pass-rush scheme there,” Carlton detailed. “They’re big on EDGES now and rushign the passer. During spring ball, they were killing the offense with sacks and they’ve been continuing to move toward being a big pass-rushing team. They’ve made that the main priority.”

The Longhorns had been trending at the top of this recruitment for various stretches dating back to Carlton’s junior season and parts of this spring and summer.

The Bears took a massive step forward during Carlton’s return to campus this spring — then surfaced to the top with the elite EDGE after officially visiting Baylor at the end of June. Associate HC Khenon Hall and GM Aaron Hunt joined Aranda, Powledge and others on staff to help Baylor close this race on top.

“It’s family down there. They make you feel love. Everything about it is love,” he said of the Bears. “I love how they communicate. Every Monday morning I get a big text from the whole coaching staff. They have been consistent with contact a lot … I love how they practice. They’re gonna have a good year this year … they’re gonna be up there in the Big 12.”

Carlton is tabbed as the No. 8-rated EDGE in the 2026 class and the No. 5 overall prospect from the state of Texas this year, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.