John Calipari, the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, has turned his attention to the 2027 recruiting cycle, targeting a trio of elite guards who are beginning to shape the class.
Calipari’s aggressive pursuit
Cayden Daughtry, a consensus five‑star point guard ranked third overall in the 2027 class, has trimmed his options to fourteen schools and is set to take official visits that include a stop in Fayetteville. Over the summer he posted averages of 32.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 58.6 % from the field and 48.8 % from three‑point range, a performance that earned him EYBL’s leading scorer honors and league MVP recognition after guiding his team to a Peach Jam championship.
King Gibson, a composite five‑star combo guard placed sixteenth nationally, is slated to visit Arkansas from September 21 to 23 after recent trips to UConn and LSU. Last season he contributed 15 points, 3.7 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game, shooting 47 % from the floor and 46 % from beyond the arc.
Chase Lumpkin, another highly touted combo guard ranked twenty‑sixth overall, announced that Arkansas belongs to his final six schools. In the previous summer he averaged 17 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5 assists, while connecting on 32 % of his three‑point attempts.
A class taking shape in Fayetteville
The Razorbacks are positioning themselves as a competitive destination for top talent, leveraging the presence of Calipari and the program’s recent momentum to attract prospects who see the university as a launchpad for the next level. With multiple five‑star guards eyeing the program, Arkansas could see a surge in on‑court expectations and national visibility as the 2027 class takes shape.