New Mexico State OL Transfer Shiyazh Pete on Kentucky Commitment: 'I'm Ready to Roll'

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Shiyazh Pete has made it to Kentucky. The New Mexico State offensive line transfer is the latest piece in a Kentucky transfer class ranked top 30 in the nation.

The 6-foot-8, 320-pound left tackle sat down with KSR+ for a phone interview on Tuesday as he boarded his plane to Lexington. He’s excited to hit the ground running.

“I’m ready to get to work. I’m ready to roll,” Pete said. “Go Big Blue.”

Kentucky offensive line coach Eric Wolford led the efforts to land a commitment from Pete. He chose the Wildcats over Nebraska and Michigan, among others.

“I figured I’d go where I’m needed most and from what Coach Wolf says, he’ll help get me to the NFL,” Pete said. “I also want to play in the SEC. It’s my last year. I want to make it count.”

Transferring from New Mexico State, Pete said that he expects it to be a “smooth transition” from Las Cruces to Lexington. He’s aware that he’ll have to “work for it and earn my spot.”

“Coach Wolf, Eric Wolford, is very charismatic and enthusiastic about me being here, how much he values me, and what I could do for the offensive line,” Pete said. “He likes what I can do for him, offensively and in terms of character. He likes me as a person and he likes my measurables. In terms of fine-tuning my development for the NFL, I think he’s really enthusiastic about that.”

Meeting His New Teammates

When Shiyazh Pete visited Kentucky during the transfer process, he got to meet a couple of his future teammates. He sat down for dinner with fellow offensive linemen Jager Burton and Alex Wollschlaeger.

“The three of us hit it off,” Pete said. “I could relate to Alex because we played each other in the 2022 bowl game in Detroit. It was really cool to hear his perspective on those events.”

Wollschlaeger’s Bowling Green Falcons fell 24-19 in the 2022 Quick Lane Bowl. It was just the second postseason win for NMSU since 1960.

“It was really cool to see other linemen in the O-Line room, compare notes, and share knowledge,” he continued. “They’re good people.”

Pete was hesitant about giving up too much about his goals for his time at Kentucky. With one season of college left, he’s leaving things up to the imagination.

“You’re going to have to wait to find out,” he said.

Shiyazh Pete’s Game

Shiyazh Pete has played more than 1,800 snaps at left tackle over three seasons with New Mexico State. He was named to the 2023 All-Conference USA first-team. While he missed NMSU’s first eight weeks of the 2024 season, he started all of the Aggies’ final six games at left tackle.

Pete allowed just five QB pressures on 193 pass-blocking plays in 2024 — two sacks and three hurries. He had an overall grade of 72.2 on PFF during the 2024 season. In 443 pass-blocking situations in 2023, he allowed three sacks, five quarterback hits and 23 hurries.

“My greatest strengths are that I’m long and fast,” he said.

Now at Kentucky, Pete wants to learn as much as possible before his college career concludes. He’ll get that opportunity in a loaded SEC.

“I have a lot to learn in a limited amount of time,” Pete said. “In terms of development, I’m looking forward to absorbing as much knowledge as I can from the coaching staff. Also, going to school. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that the program and university presented.”