Jasper Johnson takes unofficial visit to Kentucky ahead of decision

A decision is on the horizon for 2025 five-star guard Jasper Johnson, who is set to choose between Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisville and North Carolina in late August.

It’s a chance for Mark Pope to secure his first blue-chip recruit as the head coach of the Wildcats, one right from the program’s backyard with Johnson a native of Lexington. His father, Dennis, was a star football player at Kentucky while his uncle, Derrick, also suited up in blue and white. His grandfather and patriarch of the Johnson family, Alvis, was a gridiron coaching legend in the state and an assistant athletic director at UK for eight years.

Needless to say, it’s a big prospect for Pope to help get the ball rolling on the recruiting front at Kentucky.

Could Thursday have been a pivotal day in the Wildcats’ effort with a commitment just weeks away? Kentucky hosted Johnson and his father for an unofficial visit, sources tell KSR, a trip that included a sitdown with Pope and practice.

Alabama and North Carolina have emerged as top contenders to land Johnson’s commitment alongside Kentucky with Arkansas and Louisville trailing the pack. The five-star guard broke down that trio of finalists ahead of his decision at Peach Jam.

Alabama: “Coach (Nate) Oats, they produce every year at the guard position. They give their guards a lot of freedom, take a lot of threes. And they play defense, as well. Coach Oats has been recruiting me since my eighth-grade summer, going into my freshman year. They were the first Power Five school to offer me, so we’ve been building a relationship for a long time now.”

Kentucky: “Coach (Mark) Pope is telling me he wants me to be the first recruit to start his recruiting class in 2025. He’s always pitching to me he wants to hang a banner, so coming in and making a big impact from day one. He’s telling me he wants me to come in and have a big role on their team. Hearing that is good.”

North Carolina: “Growing up watching basketball, there are lot of great players with great basketball everywhere. Just watching them growing up as a kid, I was always very interested in their program. To see that they’re recruiting me now, it’s a great opportunity and a blessing. (They’re saying) that they really want me to be the first commit and take that guard position.”

What will separate the winner from other finalists when it comes time to make that commitment later this month?

“(Figuring out) what’s the best fit for me. I know there are opportunities everywhere, so I’m just taking my time, being patient,” Johnson said. ”I’m going to talk to my family about it and see what’s the right fit for me. … Fit, being patient, praying about it and making sure that when it’s time, I’m making the right choice for me.”

Joe Tipton previews Jasper Johnson’s decision on Here Comes the Boom

Who is trending for the 6-5 guard out of Lexington ahead of his decision? On3’s Joe Tipton sat down with Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ on Here Comes the Boom to talk through Johnson’s finalists and the latest intel.

Can Pope land his first five-star at Kentucky? We’re about to find out.