Kansas has surged to the front of the race for the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2026.
On Friday, 247 Sports logged a Crystal Ball prediction of 5/10 in favor of Kansas for elite small forward Tyran Stokes, signaling a notable momentum shift. Stokes has maintained a top three of Kentucky, Oregon, and Kansas since November 1, but recent buzz suggests the Jayhawks are now leading the pack.
Earlier in the process, Kentucky appeared to be in the driver’s seat. On October 6, 247 Sports issued a 6/10
Crystal Ball for the Wildcats to land Stokes. At the time, there were widespread rumors that a commitment could come in October or November, possibly during the early signing window. That window came and went without a decision, and momentum has since cooled for Kentucky.
Stokes is a 6-7, 230-pound small forward with a unique path. Originally from Louisville, he played in California before transferring to Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, one of the nation’s premier basketball programs. With a recently signed Nike NIL deal, many believed he would ultimately choose a Nike-affiliated school, with Kentucky or Oregon most notably, but Kansas has now inserted itself as the perceived frontrunner.
The Wildcats have experienced similar near-misses recently. Kentucky was also trending heavily for 5-star power forward Christian Collins, with multiple predictions pointing toward UK before national signing week passed without his commitment.
Despite the setbacks, Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting effort remains aggressive. The Wildcats have already hosted or scheduled visits with 17 of the top 63 players in the class, including No. 1 Tyran Stokes and No. 2 overall prospect Jordan Smith Jr.
Even as some targets drift elsewhere, Mark Pope and his staff continue to cast a wide net. Kentucky may not lead for Stokes right now, but the Wildcats are far from out of the 2026 recruiting conversation.
