Five-Star Guard Jordan Smith Jr. Trending Toward Arkansas as Syracuse Fades from Contention
Jordan Smith Jr., one of the most electric prospects in the 2026 high school class, appears to be nearing a decision-and it’s looking less and less likely that Syracuse will be the destination.
The 6-foot-3 shooting guard out of St. Paul VI Catholic in Chantilly, Virginia, has been a top priority for Syracuse for quite some time.
Assistant coach Brenden Straughn has been in Smith’s corner from the jump, building a strong relationship and making the Orange one of the first major programs to offer him back in May 2023. Smith’s been on campus for two unofficial visits, and by all accounts, Straughn has done everything in his power to keep Syracuse in the mix.
But at this stage, it looks like the Orange are slipping out of contention.
On Tuesday, 247Sports analysts logged a Crystal Ball prediction in favor of Arkansas, giving the Razorbacks a confidence rating of seven out of ten. That’s a strong lean, especially at this point in the cycle. While Duke had previously been seen as a frontrunner, momentum has clearly shifted toward Arkansas, where head coach John Calipari has quickly re-established himself as a recruiting force in the SEC.
Smith, ranked as the No. 2 player in the 2026 class, recently earned McDonald’s All-American honors and is firmly in the conversation for national player of the year. He’s a dynamic scorer with elite-level athleticism and a feel for the game that sets him apart. Programs don’t just want him-they need him.
His final six schools are Arkansas, Duke, Kentucky, Georgetown, Indiana, and Syracuse. But as his recruitment nears the finish line, the chatter behind the scenes is pointing to Fayetteville.
So what happened with Syracuse?
It’s not a lack of effort. Straughn and the Orange staff have been present every step of the way.
But Smith wants to compete at the highest level, and Syracuse’s current trajectory isn’t helping its case. At 13-11 heading into their midweek home tilt against California, the Orange are struggling to stay relevant in a crowded ACC landscape.
On top of that, there’s growing uncertainty about the future of the coaching staff. With speculation swirling around potential changes at the top, it’s hard for recruits to commit to a program when they’re not sure who they’ll be playing for.
That instability has likely cost Syracuse its shot at landing Smith.
As it stands, the Orange have yet to secure a commitment in the 2026 class. Missing on a talent like Smith-especially after being in the race for so long-would sting.
But in today’s recruiting world, relationships matter, yes, but so does winning. And right now, Arkansas is offering both.
Smith’s decision isn’t official yet, but the signs are pointing toward the SEC. If that holds, the Razorbacks are about to land a game-changer.