Kansas ends up with No 1 recruit after top-spot swap in final rankings for 2025 class

AJ Dybantsa has long headlined the loaded 2025 college basketball recruiting class, but BYU’s seven-million-dollar-man was dethroned in 247Sports final rankings update. Kansas commit and 6-foot-5 guard out of Prolific Prep Darryn Peterson jumped to No. 1 ahead of Bybantsa, adding even more intrigue in the race to the top of the Big 12. 

Darryn Peterson the new No. 1 player in the 2025 recruiting class

Since the league expanded two years ago, Bill Self has lost the grip on the chokehold he had around the Big 12. Houston has won the Regular Season Title in both of its seasons since making the jump from the AAC, and Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars followed that up with a Big 12 Tournament Title before making a run to the National Championship Game. 

It will likely take more than just one remarkable freshman for Kansas to reestablish itself as the class of one of college basketball’s most competitive conferences, but Peterson’s rise is a positive sign for the Jayhawks, especially considering the important departures this offseason. 

Hunter Dickinson’s career has finally come to an end after three seasons at Michigan and two in Lawrence. So without the multi-time All-American center at the heart of everything, the pressure is on Peterson to blossom as a star during his one-and-done stop. 

Kansas also lost longtime point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. transfer guard Zeke Mayo, and Dickinson’s frontcourt-mate KJ Adams Jr. to graduation while Rylan Griffin and AJ Storr entered the transfer portal. Self was able to retain Flory Bidunga for his sophomore season after the former five-star center tested the transfer portal market and the two-time national champion also added Tre White from Illinois and Jayden Dawson from Loyola Chicago. Still, the Jayhawks will go as far as Peterson can take them, and his late rise up the rankings is a sign he can take them far. 

BYU still has to be thrilled about its hefty investment in Dybantsa, and with the teams likely to meet at least once in Big 12 play next season, the two top recruits will have a chance to settle the dispute before leaving for the NBA.