Jacksonville State transfer Xavier Bausley schedules visit with Kentucky

Kentucky has a big bowl game to play in Jacksonville, but recruiting never stops. The Wildcats have turned their attention to the class of 2025 but there is also still roster-building to do for the 2024 season. Most notably, the program needs to address the lack of depth at offensive tackle. A big target emerged on Thursday.

Josh Edwards of 247 Sports is reporting that Jacksonville State tackle transfer Xavier Bausley (6-5, 315) has three visits scheduled for January. Bausley tells KSR+ that he will be visiting Kentucky for an official visit from January 6-7. Bausley will be making trips to Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Kentucky. This is a significant development.

The South Charleston (W.Va.) High product took a redshirt season under head coach Rich Rodriguez in 2022 before becoming a full-time starter for the Gamecocks in their first season in the FBS in 2023. Bausley played 900-plus snaps for Jacksonville State allowing 15 total pressures in 12 games and earning a 73.5 offensive grade from PFF. Bausley will be a redshirt sophomore with three years of eligibility remaining.

Former USC transfer Courtland Ford will get his second start of the season for Kentucky in the Gator Bowl. Bausely could potentially enroll for the spring semester and push Ford for the starting job at right tackle.

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