Former UCLA starting tackle Jake Burton headed to Baylor as graduate transfer

UCLAgraduate transfer Jake Burton announced Tuesday night that he has committed to Baylor.

A former starting tackle at UCLA, Burton had entered the NCAA's transfer portal with the hope of landing with a team where he can play immediately, which he can do as a graduate transfer and with the Big 12 planning to play football this fall.

Burton, who started 23 games the past two seasons at right tackle for the Bruins, appeared in the portal as a graduate and does not require an immediate-eligibility waiver to transfer. UCLA is a member of the Pac-12, which announced on Aug. 11 that it was postponing the fall football season.

"I was looking forward to finishing my career with my Bruin teammates," Burton wrote on Twitter. "Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, that is not possible this year. After much thought, I have decided to enter the portal in hopes of gaining the opportunity to play football this fall."

Burton joins a Baylor offensive line that has five returnees who started at least five games last season, but none of them have as much starting experience as Burton. Upon arrival, Burton should be a strong contender to start at right tackle for the Bears.

Burton is the fourth transfer new head coach Dave Aranda has added to the roster this offseason. He joins defensive end William Bradley-King(transferred from Arkansas State), linebacker Dillon Doyle (Iowa) and long-snapper Gunnar Royer (Division II Indiana University-Pennsylvania). All are expected to play key roles for Baylor this season.

The 6-foot-6, 312-pound Burton redshirted during the 2016 season before playing five games as a reserve in 2017.

The Pac-12 is exploring options for a possible winter or spring football season.