Illinois State transfer wide receiver Xavier Loyd signed with Missouri on Saturday.
The Football Championship Subdivision standout was a popular player after entering the portal last week. In a limited time after the spring window opened on April 16, Loyd reportedly received interest from Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisville and Wisconsin.
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Loyd entered the portal after one year at Illinois State, during which he broke out with 66 receptions, 912 yards and six touchdowns. The 6-foot-2 wideout began his college career at Kansas State, walking on in its class of 2021. He went on to appear in 10 combined games from 2022-23, catching just one pass for 16 yards. He now signs with Missouri for a final season of eligibility.
Loyd was one of three reported Wisconsin transfer wide receiver interests, along with Quaron Adams (South Dakota) and Karmello English (West Georgia). The Badgers are hosting English on a multi-day visit this week, indicating his place near or at the top of their priority list.
The Badgers are in search of wide receiver depth after the transfer departures of Mark Hamper and Quincy Burroughs. Hamper had just joined the team in the winter window. Wisconsin’s starting trio of Vinny Anthony, Jayden Ballard and Trech Kekahuna appears set, although there should be available snaps behind that top group.
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Loyd may have been in search of a locked-in starting role during his transfer process. Missouri is looking to replace the top-end production of upcoming NFL draft picks Theo Wease (60 receptions, 884 yards, four touchdowns in 2024) and Luther Burden (61 catches, 676 yards, six touchdowns) after an impressive 10-3 campaign.
For more on Wisconsin’s spring transfer movement, including whether it lands a commitment from English, bookmark our 2025 spring window tracker.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin transfer receiver target Xavier Loyd commits to Missouri
