Baylor Bears quarterback Sawyer Robertson has quickly become one of college football’s brightest stars, leading the team to a solid 8-5 record in 2024.
As his profile grows, many football fans wonder about a potential family connection to Jarrett Stidham, a quarterback for the NFL’s Denver Broncos. The answer reveals a shared family legacy rooted in the quarterback position.
What Is the Family Connection Between Robertson and Stidham?
Robertson and Stidham are cousins who share a strong family bond forged through football. Both quarterbacks have followed remarkably similar career paths, navigating challenges and transfers before finding success with their current teams.
The family link is evident throughout their football journeys. Stidham played his first year at Baylor in 2015 before transferring to Auburn. From there, he made his way to the NFL and now plays for the Denver Broncos.
Following his own transfer from Mississippi State after the passing of head coach Mike Leach, Robertson chose to continue his career at Baylor.
Robertson delivered an outstanding season for Baylor in 2024. He threw for 3,071 yards and 28 touchdowns, and his passing efficiency rating of 153.1 ranked seventh in the program’s single-season history.
The quarterback officially took over as the starter in Week 3 against Air Force, earning praise from head coach Dave Aranda for his composure. “I thought Sawyer came in and performed really well,” Aranda said. “I thought that there was poise with him… that calm in the pocket, that pocket presence was good to see.”
We came. We Saw. He Conquered.
✅ 310 Yards
✅ 4 Touchdowns
✅ AVG 10.0 Yards
❌ Interceptions
Sawyer Robertson Highlights⬇️#Big12FB | @BUFootball pic.twitter.com/w1I7K2og6s— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) November 30, 2024
Robertson proved he could handle the pressure of big games. He threw for a career-high 445 yards against LSU in the Texas Bowl and recorded four games with over 300 passing yards during the season.
Perhaps his most memorable performance came against Texas Tech in his hometown of Lubbock, where Robertson threw five touchdown passes in a commanding 59-35 victory. Despite the incredible outing, he remained focused on the team. “It was just another game,” Robertson said. “[We] can get better.”
With Robertson leading the charge, the Bears won their last six regular-season games. During that impressive winning streak, he completed over 60% of his passes, helping Baylor finish with an 8-5 record and secure a bowl game appearance.
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In addition to his passing, Robertson also demonstrated his running ability. He rushed for 230 yards and four touchdowns despite playing with a lower-body injury. His 45-yard rushing touchdown in one game showcased his toughness and surprising speed.
Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital praised Robertson’s evolving leadership skills. “He knows it’s team, and he’s doing a great job of it,” Spavital said. “Where you notice him the most is just the leadership role that he has, and he’s doing a great job of motivating the young guys.”
Robertson himself believes his platform as a college athlete should be used for something more than personal gain. “100 years from now, the odds of people knowing my statistics as a Baylor football player are not great. But what does matter is the impact I made while I had the platform,” Robertson explained.
Quarterback Sawyer Robertson on how his faith plays a factor in his leadership style:
“100 years from now, the odds of people knowing my statistics as a Baylor football player are not great. But what does matter is the impact I made while I had the platform.”
Full quote🐻⤵️ pic.twitter.com/woJUTVq43U
— Baylor Bears on SicEm365 (@SicEm365) August 2, 2025
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Robertson has already earned spots on several prestigious award watch lists, including the Davey O’Brien Award and the Maxwell Award. His 82.9 Total QBR ranked as the best among all returning quarterbacks.
Despite the growing attention, Robertson remains focused on performance over preseason hype. “I’m trying to stay away from all this stuff,” he said. “It is cool, but a lot of that has to do with what happened last year. So, got to go do it again this year.”
Ultimately, both Robertson and his cousin Stidham represent the pinnacle of the quarterback position at different levels of the sport. While Stidham has moved on to the NFL, Robertson is working to follow that same path to a professional career.
In a surprising turn of fate, Robertson will face off against his cousin’s former team Friday night when Baylor takes on Auburn at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
