When South Alabama transfer Marquise Robinson announced his choice to choose the Hogs on Friday, Arkansas secured a
commitment from a cornerback. After hosting UAB transfer BJ Mayes on a one-day tour, the Razorbacks are still searching for more.
Mayes, 6-1, 185, attended Incarnate Word for his first two years before transferring to the Blazers. After receiving offers from several
schools, including Texas A&M, Auburn, Kentucky, TCU, and Arkansas, he is now among the defensive backs most sought-after on the
transfer portal.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Mayes had 41 tackles, two interceptions, and ten pass breakups in 2023 at his next location,
which Arkansas defensive backs coach Deron Wilson hopes will be Fayetteville, Arkansas.
“Coach (Deron) Wilson,” Mayes remarked, “there was a strong interest and a strong sense of ‘We need you out here’ after they offered
and we began the recruitment process. You had to visit this site; you will adore it. Come on out immediately.
The amount of playing time and the part he saw me performing at Arkansas. The way he expected me to arrive and take charge right
away. I sensed his role, his energy, and the possibility that I could step in and carry it out. In essence, we are in agreement.”
Wilson and the Hogs intend to continue bolstering the secondary with more seasoned leadership.
Mayes remarked, “They want me to come in and be the vet guy.” “They said they had a younger DB group right now; he wants me to
come in and let some of my leadership and experience from the past seasons that I played rub off on the younger guys and vet them
up.”
Throughout the last few days of a five-day visitation window for midyear transfers, Mayes will have the opportunity to see more than
just Arkansas.
“Yeah, I got (Texas) A&M on Saturday, and I’m in the works on doing something with Kentucky,” Mayes said.
With a 72.9 Pro Football Focus ranking in 2023—which included a 77.8 coverage mark—Mayes is focused on enhancing his game.
“Development, NFL development for that next level,” he stated. “This is my last year; I’m just trying to be mentally and physically
ready for the NFL.”
Week 3 of the 2024 season will see UAB visit Fayetteville, giving Mayes, should he decide to play his senior year on The Hill, an
opportunity to play against his old club.
That would be insane. Mayes agreed. “That would be great, definitely.”
Is there any information about the part they envision you playing?
Mayes, a native of Houston, Texas, has connections to two defensive backs who made the
“Snaxx (Johnson) is number one, and (Dwight) McGlothern is going to the league right now,” he added. Yes, I got along well with him.
They were seniors when I played for them in the tenth grade, and we met at a couple of the tournaments I participated in.”
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