Jacksonville State OT Xavier Bausley Commits to West Virginia

The top two Kentucky transfer portal targets in the month of January are taking their talents elsewhere. Xavier Bausley shared on social media that he will be transferring to West Virginia.

Bausley, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, was on The Athletic’s Freshman All-American team last fall. The Jacksonville State transfer also visited Pitt and was at Kentucky on Saturday before the Charleston native ultimately decided to return to his country roads, West Virginia.

It’s the second time in the last 18 hours a Kentucky transfer target committed elsewhere. UAB cornerback BJ Mayes made a similar move. The Houston native is returning to play college football near his hometown at Texas A&M. He announced the decision prior before ever completing his official visit to Kentucky.

Today is the final day where transfer portal players can visit schools before a dead period goes back into effect. This narrow recruiting window only lasts about a week in-between bowl games and the start of the spring semester. Classes begin tomorrow at the University of Kentucky. Last year defensive lineman Keeshawn Silver joined the team during this period, but it’s not a very active recruiting period for Mark Stoops’ coaching staff.

Regardless of the setting and circumstances, one thing remains true entering Kentucky spring practice: the Wildcats only have three offensive tackles on the roster. Marques Cox and Courtland Ford are presumed starters, but Kentucky needs to add depth this offseason. They can make a move in the final transfer portal window that falls after spring practice. Until then, those offensive tackles will be working overtime during spring practice.

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