Mark Pope just got a second chance at a No. 1 recruit and this time it feels different

Just when the anxiety about the Class of 2026 was starting to creep in, the recruiting world threw Kentucky a massive bone.

Mark Pope is deep into his second season, and while the on-court product is evolving, the lack of a 2026 commitment has been the elephant in the room. We’ve all been refreshing our feeds hoping for good news on Tyran Stokes or Christian Collins, but the momentum has felt... stuck. Collins seems the most likely to be a Cat, and no one can really tell what is going on with Stokes.

That changed in an instant this week.

Bruce Branch III, the consensus No. 1 player in the 2027 class, announced he is reclassifying to 2026. And unlike previous reclassifications that left Kentucky scrambling, the Cats are right in the thick of this one. Expect him to slot in right behind Stokes as the 2nd best prospect in 2026.

A case of déjà vu?

If this feels familiar, it’s because we just went through this with Baba Oladotun. He was the top dog in 2027, reclassified, and Kentucky fans got their hopes up, only to watch him pick Buzz Williams and Maryland. It was not totally unexpected, but still it hurt missing out on another elite recruit.

But insiders believe the Branch recruitment feels different.

Pope isn't playing catch-up this time. The staff has been aggressive early, identifying Branch as the prototype for this system. He’s a "pace-and-space" dream: a 6-foot-7 wing with a 7-foot-1 wingspan who can shoot the lights out.

What Bruce Branch III brings to the table

This isn't just a "he's tall and athletic" prospect. 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein’s evaluation of Branch sounds like it was written specifically for Mark Pope’s offense:

"Branch is a big wing who is long and skilled... His shooting is a legitimate, and still ascending, weapon... He moves well without the ball, has advanced footwork, and defensively his size and fluidity give him a ton of potential."

That line, "moves well without the ball," is the key. In Pope’s motion offense, that is the difference between a good player and a great one. You have to be able to play off the ball as well or even better as on the ball.

The verdict

Kentucky needs a win in the Class of 2026, not just for the roster, but for the optics. We need to see that Pope can land the big fish when the pressure is on.

Branch is now on the board, and he’s heavily interested. If Pope can close this deal, it changes the entire narrative of the cycle.

Buckle up, BBN. We have a new target to watch out for.

Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion