Arkansas is still in the mix for one of the country’s most coveted young bigs, and the Razorbacks now know exactly who they’re up against.
CJ Rosser, the 6-foot-10 power forward and the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, cut his list to seven schools on Thursday, with Arkansas joined by North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, USC, Miami and North Carolina State. Every one of those programs will get an official visit this fall.
Rosser’s tour starts close to home. He’ll visit North Carolina and new coach Mike Malone this weekend, then head to NC State on 9/16, Miami on 9.25, Arkansas on 9/28, Kentucky on 10/1, USC on 10/4 and Louisville on 10/22.
For Arkansas, landing a spot in that group matters. John Calipari and the Razorbacks have stayed in steady contact with Rosser, and the belief is that Calipari is leaning harder into elite high school talent than putting everything into the transfer portal. That gives Arkansas a real shot to make noise once Rosser gets to Fayetteville in late September.
Rosser, a Southeastern Prep standout, has already taken unofficial visits to Kentucky, North Carolina and Louisville. Even so, Arkansas has remained heavily involved from the beginning, and the Razorbacks now have a chance to close the gap during the middle stretch of his visit schedule.
Calipari’s track record with elite big men is a major part of the pitch. His first “big'un” was Marcus Camby at UMass back in the early 1990s, and Camby helped push the Minutemen into national-title territory and their lone Final Four in 1996. The coach later worked with NBA stars like Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebeyo, and Julius Randle at Kentucky.
Rosser fits the kind of profile that has long appealed to Calipari. He brings transition athleticism, strong mobility for his size and a massive 7-foot-3 wingspan. He still needs added strength - he’s listed at 6-foot-10 and 170 pounds - but that raw frame gives him obvious room to grow in a Division I strength program.
According to 247Sports’ 2027 recruiting rankings, Rosser is the No. 2 prospect in the country, the No. 1 player at his position and the No. 2 player in Florida.
His summer with Team United in EYBL play was uneven at times, but the production was still there: 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game while shooting 37% from the field, 18% from three and 71% at the free throw line. He also shot 33% from beyond the arc during his junior season at Southeastern and 37% against international competition in FIBA U17 play.
That mix of length, perimeter skill and upside is what keeps Rosser so intriguing. He has the tools to stretch the floor as a positionless scorer and three-level threat, which can open driving lanes for himself and for teammates. The next step is clear: adding strength so he can hold up against high-major competition every day.
Arkansas will have to beat out programs closer to home, but getting Rosser on campus gives Calipari a chance to sell Fayetteville directly and keep the Razorbacks in the conversation well after the visit circuit wraps next month.
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