Michigan State transfer Jaxon Kohler is expected to make his college decision Thursday, with Kentucky and BYU emerging as the final two finalists, according to sources close to the recruitment.
The 6-foot-11 forward entered the transfer portal this week after a California judge granted him eligibility for the 2026-27 season as part of a lawsuit against the NCAA. The ruling also opened a brief transfer window for Kohler and other plaintiffs, a window that closes Monday.
Kohler spent four years at Michigan State, where he averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds last season while shooting 38.9 percent from 3-point range. He helped the Spartans reach the Sweet 16 three times and an Elite Eight.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope moved quickly once Kohler’s eligibility became official, calling the player Tuesday within 10 minutes of his portal entry. Pope originally recruited Kohler out of high school while coaching BYU, so the relationship was already there. That connection deepened Wednesday during a two-and-a-half-hour Zoom call with the UK staff, according to Jeff Kohler, the player’s father.
“It was a really, really good phone call,” Jeff Kohler told the Herald-Leader. “We already have a good rapport, good relationship with the guy, and it was a really, really good phone call.”
He described the subsequent Zoom with Kentucky as “awesome” and said the time “felt like an hour.” The family also spoke with BYU on Wednesday evening.
Kohler’s father emphasized that there were no favorites heading into the process, pushing back on speculation that BYU was the likely destination. “He’s made no commitments anywhere,” Jeff Kohler said. “Sometimes you wonder how that stuff gets put out there, unless it’s to try to manipulate other people making other moves and changing the market for a kid.”
Kansas and Louisville were also in contact, but the list narrowed to Kentucky and BYU. The family wanted a quick resolution, with Jeff Kohler saying he would have liked a decision “yesterday.” No campus visits were planned, and the decision was expected before the weekend.
At Kentucky, Kohler could fill an immediate need in the frontcourt. The Wildcats have been looking for a physical presence at the 4 spot, and Pope has acknowledged the need for size after summer practices. Kohler’s rebounding and floor-stretching ability make him an attractive fit.
Kohler has ruled out a return to East Lansing. His fifth-year eligibility came through a Colorado injunction that applied to the 2022 recruiting class, but Michigan State had already filled its roster. He played for his hometown Utah Jazz in the NBA Summer League this year.
