Mark Pope’s first full recruiting cycle at Kentucky is off to a quieter start than Big Blue Nation is used to-and fans are starting to feel it. The Wildcats have yet to land a commitment in the 2026 class, and while Pope has made it clear he’s not chasing five-stars just for the headlines, the reality is Kentucky fans are used to seeing elite talent walk through the doors of Rupp Arena. That anticipation-and anxiety-could reach a new level on Friday when Jordan Smith, one of the top guards in the country, announces his college decision.
Smith, a 6-foot-2 guard out of Fairfax, Virginia, is the No. 3 overall player in the 2026 class. Kentucky is in the mix, along with Duke, Syracuse, Indiana, and Georgetown. But the buzz points toward Arkansas, where former Kentucky head coach John Calipari appears to be closing in on yet another elite addition to his Razorbacks rebuild.
If Smith does commit to Arkansas, it would be a significant win for Calipari, who’s managed to maintain his one-and-done recruiting blueprint even after leaving Lexington. Despite growing frustration from Kentucky fans during his final seasons-largely due to early NCAA Tournament exits-Calipari’s approach hasn’t wavered. And it’s paying off in Fayetteville.
Last season, Calipari guided Arkansas to the Sweet 16-something he hadn’t done with Kentucky since 2019. This year, the Razorbacks are ranked No. 21 in the country and tied with Kentucky for second in the SEC at 8-3 in conference play. Freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas have been major reasons why, both living up to their five-star billing and giving Arkansas a dynamic backcourt that’s already making noise.
Adding Smith to that mix would give Calipari his second five-star signee in the 2026 class, joining 6-foot-6 wing JJ Andrews, a Little Rock native who’s already signed his letter of intent. That kind of recruiting momentum is exactly what Kentucky fans are hoping to see from Pope-but so far, it hasn’t materialized.
At one point, Kentucky was considered a legitimate contender for both Smith and fellow five-star guard Caleb Holt. But as things stand, the Wildcats have slipped in both races. Holt is now widely expected to land at Alabama, while Arizona is making a strong late push.
And it’s not just Smith and Holt. Six of the top 10 players in the 2026 class, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings, are still uncommitted-including Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 overall player and a Kentucky native.
Early on, the Wildcats were seen as a frontrunner for Stokes. Now, Kansas has emerged as the favorite.
To Pope’s credit, he’s taken a different approach. He’s prioritized the Transfer Portal and built a roster heavy on experience, and that’s helped Kentucky weather injuries to key players like Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Kam Williams. The team’s depth has been a strength, and Pope’s system has shown it can win games even without a roster full of five-star freshmen.
Still, there’s no denying the optics. Kentucky fans are used to seeing their team at the center of every major recruiting battle. And while Pope’s veteran-first strategy is working on the court right now, missing out entirely on the high school class of 2026 would be a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that expects to compete for the nation's top talent year in and year out.
Friday’s announcement from Jordan Smith won’t define Pope’s tenure-but it could be another sign that the recruiting landscape in Lexington is shifting. Whether that shift is sustainable long-term remains to be seen.