Jasper Johnson is 'pushing for (Caleb Wilson) hard' to give Kentucky 'dominant force'

It’s no secret that 2025 five-star forward Caleb Wilson is Mark Pope‘s ultimate prize to put a bow on his first full-cycle recruiting class at Kentucky. He’s already signed three top-30 prospects to anchor the group, but his big fish is the No. 5 overall recruit out of Atlanta, who is expected to make his decision in the coming weeks.

Kentucky is trending for Wilson, who just canceled what was expected to be his final official visit to Arkansas with North Carolina and Ohio State seemingly the only real suitors left in contention. The good news for the Wildcats — and Pope, more specifically? They’re getting help from their signees to seal the deal.

Acaden Lewis was the first to say he was ‘definitely’ recruiting Wilson and ‘trying to get him to come over’ to Kentucky. Now, it’s Jasper Johnson sharing his pitch, hoping to bring a ‘dominant force’ with him to Lexington.

“We’re pushing for him hard,” the five-star guard told KSR. “I know he’s a dominant force at the four position, can score the ball, block shots, rebound — he can do it all. Really just trying to push him, I know that’ll make it a lot easier on us, offensively, as well. You can’t really strategize on anybody with him on our team.

“It would really be exciting because I tried playing with him this past summer — really since freshman year — for Team Thad. It never worked out, so hopefully we can get together in college.”

The plan is for those four to be joined by a couple of veteran portal additions, plus the likes of Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, Travis Perry and Trent Noah running it back — retention a top priority for Pope and the Kentucky staff. If it all comes together as hoped, Johnson is confident the Wildcats will be able to compete for a national championship right away.

It’s a blend of talent and experience very few will be able to match, in his opinion.

“With all of the bright pieces that we need — I mean, I know it’s gonna take a lot,” Johnson said. “I know Coach Pope is gonna recruit some transfers and get some older guys in to keep us stable, but I feel like I’m gonna be real confident with my team if we get Caleb, as well.”

What happens if Kentucky doesn’t land Wilson? That’s not even a scenario Johnson is willing to entertain. Just in case things go sideways, though, the Wildcats have a couple other ideas in mind that could be potential fits.

Nothing matters more in Pope’s eyes than fit, after all, as he’s made clear up to this point.

“There are a couple of different players. I’m not gonna say any names, it really just depends on the fit,” Johnson said. “I know Coach Pope wants a certain type of player that can pass, shoot and make reads. Just trying to recruit what will fit us best at the next level.”

Will it get to that point? We’ll see — Wilson is pretty receptive to the Kentucky recruits’ push, after all.

“I definitely love it,” Wilson told KSR. “…  It’s definitely appealing.”

Can Johnson close on the top-five recruit? That’s the goal.