Before WKU: Baines joins the Hilltoppers after spending the 2025 season at Maine, where he appeared in 12 games and rushed for 709 yards and three touchdowns on 122 attempts. He also caught 13 passes for 45 yards and a score. Baines posted a pair of 100-yard rushing games for the Black Bears – at Liberty and against Stonehill – and added a 99-yard rushing game against N.C. AT&T. Baines was named All-CAA Third Team, after finishing with the second-highest yards per game – 5.8 – in the CAA and the 25th-best mark in the FCS. Baines spent his first two seasons at UNC Pembroke, where he appeared in 20 games and rushed for 1,511 yards and 19 touchdowns on 226 attempts, and added 35 receptions for 417 yards and two scores. Over the two seasons, he also returned 24 kicks for 583 yards and a touchdown.
HS/Misc.: Baines prepped at Jack Britt High School in North Carolina. There, he rushed for 2,167 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior, and also logged 29 receptions for 411 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 238.9 all-purpose yards and did not have a fumble as a senior. He was named All-Conference, All-County and All-State. He was named Best of 910Preps Offensive Player of the Year and his team’s MVP. He was also a member of FCA, Student2Student Club and the National Honors Society.
