When the 2025 NFL Draft cycle first kicked off, BJ Mayes was one of those names that felt like a "draft twitter" secret. He had the length. He had the ball production. He had that specific kind of swagger you only find in defensive backs who have spent years fighting their way up from the FCS level. But if you’ve been following the BJ Mayes NFL draft journey, you know the road hasn't exactly been a straight line.
Honestly, the hype was real for a minute there. After Mayes snagged four interceptions for Mike Elko at Texas A&M in 2024, people were talking about him as a potential mid-round steal. He looked like the prototypical modern corner—6’1”, 190-ish pounds, and a wingspan that could disrupt passing lanes from Houston to College Station.
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Then came the draft itself. And it was quiet. Too quiet.
The Reality of the BJ Mayes NFL Draft Experience
Basically, Mayes went undrafted in 2025. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a guy who led a SEC defense in picks. But if you look at the landscape, it’s not entirely shocking. NFL scouts are notoriously picky about "one-year wonders" in the power conferences, even if those players have years of lower-level dominance under their belts.
Mayes didn't stay on the open market for long, though. The Philadelphia Eagles snatched him up as a priority free agent immediately after the draft. He signed a three-year deal worth roughly $2.99 million in May 2025. You’ve probably seen the headlines: a $25,000 signing bonus and some guaranteed money. It was the "foot in the door" he needed.
But the NFL is a business. A cold one.
By August 3, 2025, the Eagles waived him. It happens fast. One day you're learning the scheme in Philly, the next you're looking for a new zip code. He had a cup of coffee with the Indianapolis Colts shortly after, signing on August 9 and getting waived again by August 26.
Why the NFL Draft Stock Fluctuated
What went wrong? Or rather, what did scouts see that made them pass seven times?
Mayes has some of the best natural instincts in the class. You don't just "accidentally" pick off two passes in a single game against LSU. His 2024 tape shows a player who understands route concepts. He’s a "click and close" guy.
However, his transition from UAB and Incarnate Word to the SEC exposed some technical gaps.
- Long Speed: While he isn't slow, he doesn't have that "recovery burners" speed that allows a corner to make a mistake and still catch up to a 4.3 wideout.
- Fluidity: Sometimes he looks a bit stiff in his backpedal. It's a minor thing until you're facing AJ Brown or Justin Jefferson every Sunday.
- Sample Size: Teams wanted to see more than just one year of high-level SEC production.
The 2026 Shift: A New League and a New Opportunity
If you’re checking in on the BJ Mayes NFL draft status now in early 2026, the story has shifted.
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The NFL isn't the only game in town anymore. Just a few days ago, on January 14, 2026, the United Football League (UFL) held its draft. Guess whose name popped up?
BJ Mayes was selected in the 2026 UFL Draft.
This is huge. It’s not the NFL, but for a guy like Mayes, it’s a platform. We’ve seen guys like KaVontae Turpin and Brandon Aubrey use these leagues to prove they belong in the big show. For Mayes, the UFL is basically a televised scouting combine that lasts ten weeks.
He’s still young. He’s still 22. If he can go out there, shut down some veteran UFL receivers, and show that his 2024 season at A&M wasn't a fluke, an NFL team will call him back for training camp in July.
What Scouts are Still Watching
The NFL hasn't completely closed the book on Mayes. Scouts from teams like the Colts (who already had him in for a look) and the Eagles still have those 2024 scouting reports in their systems.
His stats at Texas A&M tell a story of a ball-hawk:
- 4 Interceptions (Team Lead)
- 30 Total Tackles
- 5 Pass Breakups
Compare that to his time at UAB, where he had 10 pass breakups in a single season. The production is consistent across different levels of competition. That is usually a green flag for pro scouts. They want to see if that translated to the professional field, and the UFL is the place to prove it.
The Path Forward for BJ Mayes
So, where does that leave us?
If you're a fan of the Aggies or just a draft nerd, don't write off Mayes yet. The BJ Mayes NFL draft saga is currently in its "redemption arc" phase. He’s effectively an ERFA (Exclusive Rights Free Agent) caliber player who needs to put fresh tape on the table.
Kinda crazy how fast things move, right? From SEC star to undrafted free agent to UFL draftee in less than a year.
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Actionable Insights for Following the BJ Mayes Journey:
- Watch the UFL Season: Keep an eye on the defensive back stats starting this spring. If Mayes is shadowing WR1s and keeping his interception numbers up, he’s a lock for an NFL invite.
- Monitor the Waiver Wire: NFL teams often pluck UFL standouts immediately after the championship game in June.
- Track His Physical Development: Mayes was listed around 185-195 lbs. Pro teams would love to see him closer to a rock-solid 200 lbs without losing his agility.
Mayes is a fighter. You don't go from Incarnate Word to leading the Texas A&M secondary by being soft. He's got the "Soulution" (as he calls it) and the chip on his shoulder to make it back. Keep your notifications on; this isn't over.