Arkansas gets first visit for UAB transfer BJ Mayes

UAB cornerback transfer BJ Mayes was a late entrant into the winter transfer portal. Kentucky moved quickly and offered the cornerback on Wednesday with defensive backs coach Chris Collins leading the way. However, the clock is ticking in this recruitment with this being the final official visit weekend for mid-year transfers.

Kentucky needs to get an official visit scheduled with Mayes. Arkansas got the first visit for the American Athletic Conference transfer.

The former FCS transfer with one year of eligibility remaining arrived in Fayetteville late on Thursday night to see Sam Pittman‘s SEC program. Mayes told KSR+’s Jacob Polacheck that he has built a strong early relationship with some defensive coaches at Arkansas.

“I like the coach. I really like the secondary coach, Coach [Marcus] Woodson, and the defensive coordinator [Travis Williams].”

In 12 games at UAB, Mayes recorded 41 tackles, one tackle for loss, 10 pass breakups, and two interceptions in 2023. Using PFF data, Mayes has logged 790 coverage snaps during his collegiate career and has recorded three interceptions and 24 pass breakups over the last two seasons at Incarnate Word and UAB.

The transfer could be a plug-and-play starter in the SEC. However, Arkansas could be seen as the leader right now with Kentucky and Texas A&M lurking in this recruitment. The Wildcats need to find a way to get Mayes on campus this weekend.

Marquise Robinson commits to Arkansas

While BJ Mayes was on campus in Fayetteville, another transfer cornerback decided to commit to Arkansas. South Alabama transfer Marquise Robinson will spend his final collegiate season with the Hogs.

The former junior college transfer became a starter at outside cornerback for South Alabama in 2023 and finished the season with 36 tackles and three interceptions. That could help Kentucky in the pursuit of Mayes.

If the Robinson commitment takes Arkansas out of the transfer cornerback market, Kentucky could close on the UAB transfer over the next couple of days.