2025 prospects who plan to visit Arkansas this coming season are power forward Koa Peat, shooting guard Meleek Thomas, center Caleb Wilson, center Chris Cenac and combo guard Jasper Johnson. With No. 4 prospect Darius Acuff already in the fold, the Razorbacks’ future point guard will have a chance to personally recruit and promote Calipari’s plan to other top recruits.
Peat will venture to Arkansas Sept.14 for an official visit. His recruitment appears far from over as several blue blood programs are in contention for his signature. Wilson will head meet with Calipari at some point this fall for an official but no date has been announced.
Cenac is one of the fastest rising players this summer after several outings that have impressed college coaches and evaluators. Calipari’s staff extended an offer to him in June after a MVP performance at the NBAPA Top 100 Camp. He has become a priority for the Razorbacks with Arkansas coaches making multiple efforts to be at his summer circuit games.
As for Johnson, the Razorbacks made his final five cut along with Alabama, Kentucky, Louisville and North Carolina. With Calipari’s history of success over the years with ball dominant combo guards, Arkansas seems to be a good spot for a pleasant recruiting surprise.
During the modern era of recruiting, Arkansas has recruited at high levels before albeit sporadically. The 2022 was exceptional considering the signing of No. 1 prospect Nick Smith, Jr. from North Little Rock. Another 5-star in point guard Anthony Black was drafted by Orlando as a lottery pick. Versatlie 5-star wing Jordan Walsh played a key role in Arkansas’ run to the Sweet 16 and won a championship as a rookie with Boston.
Fans would then have to pull back pages of history to find the last time Arkansas signed a top-10 recruiting class. John Pelphrey assembled a class with three top-100 prospects and a single 5-star in B.J. Young. However, he didn’t coach them as freshmen after he was removed as head coach following the 2011 season.
Former Razorbacks guards Rotnei Clarke and Courtney Fortson’s class was regarded as a top-20 group in 2008. With home victories over ranked Oklahoma and Texas squads, Arkansas followed a 12-1 non-conference start to go 2-14 in SEC play.