Early Signing Period Primer: Kentucky on the cusp of commitment(s)?

Kentucky could use a pick-me-up after a disappointing performance at Louisville, falling to the Cardinals for the first time in a half-decade to lose bragging rights for the year. The Wildcats’ comeback effort fell short and fans aren’t happy about it, watching a superstar freshman put forth a career performance against a team full of experience. Talent won in the second series meeting between Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey, but the good news is that the door is officially open for the former to add some himself for year three with the start of the early signing period running from November 12 through November 19.

Starting today, high school recruits are able to put pen to paper with colleges of their choice, six of the top 15 prospects in 2026 committed with several more blue-chippers ready to come off the board in the coming days. Will Kentucky be able to join in on the fun? Could Pope pull a few rabbits out of his hat this week? KSR hits on the top early-period storylines to keep an eye on as the Wildcats regroup coming off the tough loss in enemy territory.

What is Tyran Stokes doing?

Kentucky’s top priority has been and continues to be No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes, a native of Louisville who recently cut his list to three schools with the Wildcats joining Kansas and Oregon among finalists. Speculation picked up in early October that a commitment was imminent — Big Blue Madness weekend was the one to watch, likely to UK — only for things to die down and ultimately be placed on the back burner once separate off-court incidents forced him to withdraw from Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, CA. He’s now looking for a new home to finish out his senior year before ramping back up on a college decision.

Kentucky is still heavily pursuing the most talented player in the class, but after previously being seen as the first likely domino to fall for the Wildcats in 2026, could this recent development shake things up? Stokes is no longer expected to be commitment No. 1 for Pope this cycle, at minimum.

Monitor Christian Collins’ situation closely

It’s more about timelines and weighing the opportunity for one in the hand vs. two in the bush as it relates to Stokes at this point. Kentucky (accurately) believes the top-ranked recruit is far and away the most talented player in the country and is worth the wait, however long that takes. His situation today, though, is far more complicated than it was a month ago, and there are other talented fish in the sea with serious interest in the Wildcats.

Insert Christian Collins, a long and versatile wing out of Southern California, who is down to Kentucky, USC and UCLA with a commitment coming sooner rather than later. Coming in at No. 12 nationally and No. 5 among small forwards in the Rivals Industry Rankings, the five-star has been weighing the draw of staying home compared to a better basketball fit and brand in Lexington. There was a time late in the process that location was likely to win out as buzz grew with the Trojans and Bruins, but the Wildcats’ late push has swung things the other direction ahead of his announcement.

Now, two RPM picks favor Kentucky, submitted by Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ and Joe Tipton of Rivals over the weekend. The thinking? Take Collins now and figure out Stokes later — hoping it lands two potential lottery picks in blue and white, but guarantees at least one.

Kentucky fades with others ready to decide

The Wildcats hosted top-20 prospects Baba Oladotun and Arafan Diane on official visits, but with commitment dates scheduled for both on Nov. 19 to wrap up the signing period, don’t expect either to end up in Lexington. Instead, John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks are in the driver’s seat for the former — with Maryland and Georgetown still pushing — while Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars are likely to pull off the latter.

Elsewhere, Maximo Adams took a trip to Kentucky as the brother of a former BYU player under Pope, but there hasn’t been much traction in the later stages of his recruitment. Instead, look for Hubert Davis to close that one for North Carolina. Qayden Samuels earned an offer from the Wildcats, but never made it to campus for an official. Alabama has surged down the stretch and could get the four-star locked down in the coming days.

Wait-and-see mode for Caleb Holt

Kentucky is still technically in the running for others, namely Deron Rippey Jr. and Jordan Smith Jr., but mostly on the outside looking in with other suitors picking up steam. The interesting one, however, is five-star guard Caleb Holt, ranked No. 2 nationally and No. 1 among shooting guards. He’s been set on committing late and the Wildcats are positioned near the top of his list alongside fellow SEC foe Alabama for when that time comes.

The Crimson Tide are confident and pushing, but depending on how things unfold with Stokes, Kentucky is well within striking distance and could make a move to land his signature. Collins and Stokes are the names to watch, in that order, chronologically, but don’t forget about Holt.

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