Tyran Stokes commits to... playing football? No. 1 recruit will try WR in HS

“Did you know Tyran Stokes played wide receiver?”

Be prepared to hear that on repeat when the nation’s No. 1 recruit takes over the college basketball world next year — hopefully as a Kentucky Wildcat under Mark Pope. It’d only make sense, right?

Years after Willie Cauley-Stein caught 64 passes for 1,265 yards and 15 touchdowns as the biggest senior wideout in high school, Stokes is ready to see what he can do on the football field playing the same position. Returning to Notre Dame Sherman Oaks for his senior year, the 6-7 small forward threw on some shoulder pads and participated in his very first football practice, intending to play in live game action with his team currently sitting at 2-2 on the year. After ten padded practices, he’ll be declared eligible to compete.

One down, nine to go.

With Notre Dame currently on a bye week, we could see Stokes’ football debut on September 26 — meaning there is a chance Pope and the Kentucky coaching staff are enjoying some Friday Night Lights with their top basketball target catching touchdowns in the near future. Fascinating, right?

Tarek Fattal of High School On SI was the first to break the news and get an official statement from the five-star hooper on trading out his sneakers for cleats.

“This could be my last chance to just be a kid,” Stokes told Fattal.

The footage is insane, to say the least, Stokes running routes and catching balls in a No. 67 jersey.

This is what everyone wanted to see.

No. 1 HSBB prospect Tyran Stokes running routes at his first football practice at Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks at 6-8, 245 pounds.@tyran_stokes on why he came out, “This could be my last chance to just be a kid.”

STORY: https://t.co/Xvj4CRrK26 pic.twitter.com/4vmorATPLQ

— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) September 16, 2025

It’s not the first time the No. 1 recruit has stepped out of his basketball comfort zone to try out other sports. In fact, Stokes gave track & field a shot this summer, running the 400m at a track meet with Notre Dame in July.

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Mark Stoops, you know what to do. Offer him a scholarship and watch Stokes become a two-sport freak of nature in Lexington. Dennis Johnson tried to do it under Tubby Smith, but Hal Mumme didn’t want him to play basketball, so he stuck with life as an All-SEC pass rusher and watched his son become a future five-star on the hardwood. This can be the full-circle moment we’ve all been waiting for ever since.

Whatever it takes to get Stokes in blue and white suiting up for Pope at Rupp Arena.