Texas A&M Lands Commitment From UAB CB BJ Mayes

The addition of Mayes only fortifies the Aggies' secondary with veteran talent, especially at the cornerback position, which was viewed as a weakness following the departures of starters Tyreek Chappell and Duece Harmon (SMU). 

A&M also picked up the commitments from Will Lee III (Kansas State), Donovan Saunders (Cal Ploy) and Jadyon Hill (Florida). Hill played with new defensive coordinator Jay Bateman during his time with the Gators. 

Mayes should compete for a starting role beginning in spring practice alongside Lee, Saunders and Hill. The Aggies also bring back sophomore Sam McCall and freshman Jayvon Thomas, who started three games in 2023 on the outside. 

First-year coach Mike Elko has aggressively attacked the portal over the past several days, landing 10 commitments since the start of the new calendar year. The Aggies lost 18 scholarship players to the portal following the end of the regular season but since have added 16 replacements. 

A&M still remains a contender to land five-star defensive back Terry Bussey, who is expected to sign next month during the annual signing period. If he commits, the Aggies will finish with a 2024 recruiting class with 15 commits, including four-star safety Myles Davis and three-star safety Jordan Pride. 

Of the 16 transfer commits, 11 hail from the defensive side, including defensive end Nic Scourton (Purdue), linebacker Scooby Williams (Florida), Hill and defensive back De'Rickey Wright (Vanderbilt).