Kentucky has jumped into the race for one of the biggest names in the 2027 class, and the timing makes this one especially intriguing.
On Tuesday night, top five wing AJ Williams announced an offer from Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff, adding the Wildcats to a recruitment that appears to be nearing a finish. Williams posted, "Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Kentucky," and the buzz around his decision is already building.
There’s been recent chatter that a commitment could be coming soon, with one school starting to separate itself late in the process. Right now, BYU is viewed as the leader as Williams heads into the final stretch of his recruitment. Kentucky is trying to muscle its way into the conversation, though whether the offer comes at the right time or a little too late is the question hanging over this one.
Other schools still involved include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, North Carolina, Georgia and Duke. Williams was previously ranked as the top prospect in the 2028 class before moving up to 2027, and he remains one of the most closely watched wings in the cycle.
Rivals’ Jamie Shaw described Williams as a player who “brings a mature approach to the game.” Shaw noted his “positional size, listed at 6-foot-7,” along with “quality length and explosive athletic pop.”
He also called Williams “a shot-maker” who is “comfortable being at the top of a scouting report, and still getting to his spots at multiple levels and finishing plays.” Shaw added that Williams “is not a super-dynamic or super-flashy player, but instead, he is steady, plays with a purpose, and rebounds in his area.”
Williams also turned heads with Team USA at the FIBA U17 World Cup, where he posted 25 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals in a win over Japan. He shot 7-10 from the field, 5-6 from 3-point range and 6-6 at the line in just 15 minutes, a reminder of why he’s ranked so highly.
The question now is whether Kentucky can make a late push and pull off a real surprise in one of the cycle’s most watched recruitments.
In Other News...
Utah's First Rout Under Morgan Scalley Still Left One Big Concern
Utah opened the 2026 season in style at Rice-Eccles Stadium, rolling past Idaho 66-14 in Morgan Scalleys first rout as head coach. The Utes were efficient enough to put the game away quickly, with both quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin seeing action and the offense producing big plays throughout the afternoon.
Wayshawn Parker gave the start an immediate jolt, finding the end zone three times early as Utah built a cushion that never really came under threat. Even so, the clean final score masked some early unevenness up front, where both lines had moments theyll want back before settling in and improving as the game went along. [Read more 🡒]
Utahs Backfield Suddenly Looks More Dangerous Than Anyone Expected
Utahs offense left no doubt in a 66-14 win over Idaho, and the most encouraging part for the Utes may have been how many ways they were able to run the ball. The victory set school records for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, with the backfield piling up production well beyond the usual lead option. Wayshawn Parker was at the center of it, finishing with 71 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while several other Utah runners chipped in meaningful yardage.
Morgan Scalley had plenty to like afterward, especially the way Parker handled the moment and the overall depth in the running back room. For a team that wants its ground game to travel week after week, Utah suddenly looks as if it has more answers than expected, and this performance only raised the stakes for figuring out how the workload will be split moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Utah Just Unveiled Another Dangerous Weapon On Offense
Utah spent its season opener against Idaho showing just how many ways it can stress a defense, and Wayshawn Parker quickly became one of the nights most dangerous answers. The running back finished with 94 all-purpose yards in the 66-14 win, and he was part of an offense that looked anything but one-dimensional, with the Utes leaning on both the ground game and the passing attack to keep Idaho from settling in.
The broader picture was even more encouraging for Utah: the Utes rolled up big yardage in both phases and had multiple players involved in the scoring, while the defense helped tilt the game early with Trey Reynolds interception setting up the first points. For an offense still showing its full shape, Parkers breakout was the kind of opening statement that suggests there may already be another reliable threat waiting to emerge as the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]