Senior defensive lineman on Baylor's 2026 roster.
6′3″ · 306 lb · Sacramento, CA · Franklin HS
CFB Index
A single number blending on-field production (an EPA-based value lane) with box-score output for this player's position.
0-100, scaled within each position's own cohort — not directly comparable across positions.
The numbers
sacks · 2026
1 TFL · 3 tackles
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 1 TFL, 2 tackles, vs Auburn
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
4 defensive lineman on Baylor's 2026 roster.
“Baylor DL Hosea Wheeler Granted TRO, Injunction Date Set”
Fan claims · every quote verified verbatim
With Hosea Wheeler ready to play, there’s something concrete to get excited about on defense heading into the season for the Bears.
Based on 1 comment across 1 thread · Aug 11, 2026 · via Baylor University Football
Hosea Wheeler
Wins his gap play after play. Across four seasons and three programs, three head coaches: Tyson Helton, Curt Cignetti and Dave Aranda. Two straight seasons of it now: All-Conference USA again in 2024. The receipt on tape: 2 tackles, 1 TFL against Auburn, Week 1, 2026.
3 TACKLES · 0 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
His career
He was winning awards before he was old enough to be a story.
Career arc
Trophy case · Confirmed honors
What the selectors said
ALL-CONFERENCE USA · 1ST TEAM
All-Conference USA 1st team (2024)
Coaching lineage · 2023–2026
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Dave Aranda.
Where He Ended Up · Transfer
Transferred to Baylor
Season context · Team result + system
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 1.5 TKL/g, 0.5 TFL/g, 0.0 SACK/g, 0.0 PD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Dave Aranda
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Player standing · 2025
Tackle volume for the position in part-time-starter range.
Recognition
Production · CFB Index Score
Unranked recruit. Now #165 at the position.
| Season | Team | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Baylor | 3 | 3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2025 | Indiana | 31 | 13 | 4.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2024 | Western Kentucky | 62 | 26 | 4.0 | 2.0 | -- | -- | -- |
| 2023 | Western Kentucky | 40 | 20 | 4.0 | 2.0 | -- | 1 | -- |
| Career | 136 | 62 | 13.0 | 4.0 | -- | 1 | -- |
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2026
W 44–3
1 TOT · 1 SOLO
Dominant 41-point win at home against Prairie View A&M.
With N. Bennett — 301 yds · 2 TD · 2 INT · QBR 29.6 · 13 rush yds (2 car) · 1 TD · C. Knighten — 66 rush yds (12 car) · 1 TD
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | L 16-17@ Auburn | 2 | 2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 2 tackles |
| Wk 2 | W 44-3vs Prairie View A&M | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
Play style
Stout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number.
CFB Index positional classification
Player DNA
Stout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Elijah Jeudy’s 2024 season.
Matches Elijah on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a junior, his production profile tracks closest to Elijah Jeudy's junior season at Nebraska (2024).
Matches Elijah on
Player DNA
Baylor 2026 (Sixth): Joined the team in advance of the spring semster, participating in spring practice. Previous Schools: Has played in 46 career games with 30 starts, totaling 139 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception … Played 31 games with 25 starts at Western Kentucky fr...
20 more on the roster · Baylor team page