MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — The West Virginia Mountaineers will lose a West Virginia native on the offensive line in Zach Frazier but could potentially gain another in the next couple of days.
Xavier Bausley, a Dunbar, West Virginia native, visited Morgantown this weekend and the Mountaineers’ coaching staff has made him a real priority in the transfer portal. Bausley recently entered the portal after playing his freshman season under Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State. While at Jax State, Bausely started 11 games at right tackle and was a key part of an offensive line that led the Gamecocks to 5th-best rushing offense in FBS during the regular season.
In addition, Bausley was a 2023 CUSA All-Freshman Team member and was selected to the Freshman All-American team. Bausley, a 6’5 315 pound redshirt freshman, played high school football at South Charleston High School in Charleston, WV and led the Black Eagles to the 2020 West Virginia Class AAA state title, while also earning All-State honors on the offensive line.
Since entering the transfer portal, Bausley has been heavily pursued by multiple programs but cut his list down to Pitt, Kentucky and West Virginia. Bausley visited Pitt and enjoyed his time there, but reportedly dropped the Panters from contention for his services after they fired their offensive line coach this weekend. Bausley informed The Voice of Morgantown that he absolutely loved his official visit to West Virginia University, but still intended to take a visit to Kentucky. Following his trip to Kentucky, Bausley is expected to make his decision between the Mountaineers and Wildcats tomorrow, January 7th.
Based on him growing up in West Virginia and being a lifelong fan of the Mountaineers, I believe that Bausley will ultimatley decided to come back home to represent his home state in the Old Gold and Blue. Bausley will have 3 full years of eligiblity remaining. Stay tuned to the Voice of Morgantown for more updates on this developing story!
A Dunbar, West Virginia native and freshman All-American offensive lineman at Jacksonville State last year, @BausleyXavier is expected to decide between West Virginia and Kentucky tomorrow. COME HOME, big fella! #WVU pic.twitter.com/Hw9muGJEkE
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) January 6, 2024
