Transfer Portal Bio Blast: Shiyazh Pete

The winter transfer portal window closed on Dec. 28. We’ve seen some heavy player movement in this free agency period. Teams are working rapidly to close these fast-paced recruitments and will get to host prospects in January for visits against once the current recruiting dead period ends.

A new offensive tackle target emerged over the weekend. Kentucky officially entered the race for New Mexico State transfer Shiyazh Pete on Saturday.

Kentucky offered GO Wildcats!! pic.twitter.com/Bp9J1mcak7

— 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐳𝐡 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞 (@ShiyazhT) December 29, 2024

Iowa State, Michigan, USC, Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma State are also involved in this recruitment. Kentucky has a huge need at left tackle. Could Pete help fill that hole?

KSR’s Transfer Bio Blast is taking a closer look at the three-year starter in C-USA.

Unranked recruit lands at New Mexico State

Shiyazh Pete was an unranked recruit in the 2021 high school recruiting cycle. The Missoula (Mont.) Shiprock product landed at New Mexico State to play for head coach Doug Martin. Peter took a redshirt in year one and then a coaching change was made.

Head coach Jerry Kill, offensive coordinator Tim Beck, and quarterback Diego Pavia arrived at New Mexico State in 2022. The Aggies finished that year with a winning record (7-6) after beating Bowling Green in the Quick Lane Bowl. Pete would become a starter at left tackle as a redshirt freshman.

Multi-year starter at left tackle

Once Shiyazh Pete entered the starting lineup in Las Cruces, the left tackle never left the lineup. The veteran played over 1,800 snaps for the Aggies over three seasons with all of them occurring at left tackle. Pete took a big step forward as a redshirt junior in 2024.

The tackle posted a career best in pressure rate allowed (2.5%) after allowing much higher numbers in 2023 (6.6%) and 2022 (7.0%). Pete committed zero penalties in 440 snaps as a redshirt junior and was one of New Mexico State’s best players for new head coach Tony Sanchez.

Pete entered the transfer portal on Dec. 18, and will spend his final year of eligibility playing for a power conference school.

Luckett’s scouting notebook

Kentucky is looking for a plug-and-play starter at left tackle this offseason after addressing center with Evan Wibberley, guard with Joshua Braun, and right tackle with Alex Wollschlaeger. Shiyazh Pete could be a plug-and-play starter for the Wildcats if the program can win this recruitment.

This is my scouting write-up on the offensive line transfer.

Shiyazh Pete (6-8, 320) is a long left tackle with good movement skills. The veteran shows good feet allowing him to climb to the next level in the run game and mirror speed rusher in pass protection. Pete flashes some torque as a run blocker allowing him to move defensive ends. Shows burst out of his stance and quickly gets into his set. Missed some on his initial punch when faced with a speed rush. Can overset and get beat inside. Played in a zone-heavy run scheme. Must improve at creating movement in the run game.

The New Mexico State transfer is a long and athletic transfer with a ton of experience and some impressive reps on tape as a pass protector. Winning in the run game as he steps in competition will be a huge question mark but this is a true left tackle who can protect the blindside.