Mark Pope has been striking out in the Class of 2026, but he isn't letting that stop him from swinging for the fences in 2027.
With Tyran Stokes trending toward Kansas, Christian Collins reopening his recruitment, and the program currently sitting with zero commits for 2026, the pressure is mounting. Big Blue Nation is not a very patient bunch. They actually like having players come back; seeing that happen is a good thing. But they also understand you need high school recruiting to supplement your roster. That is why Pope hasn't stopped trying to land the top players. According to Joe Tipton, CJ Rosser, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2027 class, is headed to Lexington for an official visit next month, and also has a stop scheduled in Louisville to meet with Pat Kelsey.
CJ Rosser is a must-have talent
Kentucky needs a recruiting win. It isn't just about the on-court talent; the program needs to build some positive momentum within the fanbase, too. You simply can't keep missing on nearly every major recruitment you are involved in and expect the noise to stay quiet.
Rosser would change the conversation instantly.
He has everything you want in a modern forward: a smooth shooting motion, the ability to play multiple positions, and the skill to make shots at all three levels. On top of that, he defends his man really well. He is the perfect archetype for a Mark Pope offense, long, versatile, and dangerous from deep.
Hearing him talk, he fits right in with the culture Pope is trying to build, too:
“Just the connection everyone has needs to be good off the court, not just on. Everyone has to be one team and connected like family.”
NBADraftRoom.com noted that "The sky is the limit for how good Rosser can be."
Let's hope he finds that ceiling in Lexington.