Perspective number 3 in Rivals of 2025150, Darryn Peterson is the nation’s top high school guard and a tempting prospect for both college coaches and NBA scouts. Peterson remains uncommitted, but his recruitment is starting to take shape as campus visits continue.
Today, Rivals national analyst Rob Cassidy ranks candidates to hire Peterson in order of likelihood of each being the choice on decision day.
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1. Kansas
Calling Peterson’s relationship with Own account and their “strong” team is probably an understatement. The five-star guard exclaimed, “That’s my guy. He’s been watching me since freshman year,” with the mere mention of Self in a recent interview, and things appear to be moving in a positive direction for the Jayhawks following Peterson’s official visit to Lawrence.
June’s trip to Kansas it was the five-star’s second visit, along with an unofficial trip he took when he was in eighth grade. Peterson has not yet set a commitment date and could make additional visits this fall, but Kansas has established itself as the leader for now.
It’s probably also worth noting that Peterson signed a major NIL deal with adidas last November, and Kansas is one of the company’s flagship athletic programs.
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2. OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes have a fighting chance, but things will have to go well during Peterson’s scheduled Aug. 1 official visit for head coach Jake Diebler and company to overtake the Jayhawks as the presumptive favorites. Such a thing is not unthinkable, obviously, as Peterson is an Ohio native and was born in Canton, just 200 miles away from the Buckeyes’ campus in Columbus.
There’s probably not a ton separating Kansas and Ohio Stateand it appears the Buckeyes are by far the biggest threat to supplant KU atop this list in the future.
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3. KENTUCKY
The Wildcats are worth monitoring for a few reasons. The fact that Peterson is familiar with the program, having visited in March when João Calipari I was still running the show, it’s part of it. More encouraging, however, is the fact that he says he hopes to return for a second referee in order to experience life under the new coach. Marcos Papa and your team.
Peterson has not revealed a date for his imminent trip back to Lexington, but Kentucky could become a serious player if the trip actually happens.
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4. USC
The Trojans continue to pursue Peterson based on the relationship he has built with the Trojans coach Eric Musselmanwho recruited the five-star guard while training at Arkansas before taking the USC show this offseason.
Peterson has not yet visited campus, but plans to do so this fall.
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5. NORTH CAROLINA
There appears to be a growing gap between North Caroline and the four programs listed here, as the buzz linking the Tar Heels and Peterson has become muted in recent weeks, and talk of a possible fall visit appears to have died down.
Hubert Davis‘, however, the program could move up the ranks into high gear should that interest reignite and Peterson ends up on the North Carolina campus for a visit.
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6. LOUISVILLE AND WASHINGTON
Both the Cardinals and Huskies appear to have long shots at landing Peterson, but he is considering visiting both programs, so neither can be ruled out completely. The seriousness with which each of them must be taken will become more obvious if the trips, which have not been planned at this time, become a reality.
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