Transfer Bio Blast: BJ Mayes

The first transfer portal window of the college football offseason officially closed this week. For players looking to switch schools during the mid-year break, those moves must be made now. During the early signing period, Kentucky officially announced the additions of six scholarship transfers but the Wildcats are not done roster-building for spring camp.

Over the last week, we’ve seen some targets emerge at positions of need for the Wildcats. UAB cornerback transfer BJ Mayes can now be considered a primary recruiting target for Kentucky while Arkansas and Texas A&M are also in pursuit.

The Wildcats need some help at cornerback. The American Athletic Conference transfer might be good enough to become a plug-and-play starter in Lexington during the 2024 season. KSR’s Transfer Bio Blast is going to take a closer look at the cornerback transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.

Former FCS transfer

BJ Mayes (6-1, 185) was an unranked high school prospect in the class of 2021 out of Houston (Texas) Heights. After recording 60 tackles and four interceptions during his senior year, Mayes landed at FCS Incarnate Word after decommitting from UTSA during the early signing period.

Playing for an FCS program in Texas, Mayes played in six games as a true freshman and recorded five tackles before becoming a starter in year two. Mayes would enter the transfer portal following the 2022 season and picked UAB over Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, and Louisiana Tech.

The cornerback is now on the move again and will be a true senior with only one year of eligibility remaining in 2024.

Track record of production

In year two at Incarnate Word, BJ Mayes became a dependable playmaking cornerback. In 14 games, the defensive back recorded 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, and one interception. That ball production followed Mayes to the FBS.

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

This is an experienced cornerback who has a track record of production in coverage to go a long with durability shown at Incarnate Word and UAB.

Power Five recruitment

BJ Mayes has been an under the radar player during his entire collegiate career. That is no longer the case. A late rule change has allowed college football players to transfer multiple times and Mayes is taking advantage of that rule. Numerous power conference programs are in pursuit.

Arkansas, Auburn, Houston, Illinois, Kentucky TCU, Texas A&M, and Wisconsin have all issued a verbal scholarship offer to Mayes. The mid-year transfer is currently the No. 12 overall cornerback and a top-125 player in On3’s current transfer portal rankings. This is a plug-and-play transfer prospect. Mayes’ recruitment backs this up.

Kentucky will attempt to close on the cornerback this weekend as the transfer takes advantage of the final official visit window before decisions must start rolling in next week.