The transfer portal is officially open, and the Mark Pope era at Kentucky is hitting the ground running. With a roster to build, the Wildcats are wasting no time targeting some of the most coveted names available, signaling an aggressive start to the offseason.

According to Kentucky radio reporter Matt Jones, the 'Cats have already made contact with a trio of high-impact players. The list includes San Diego State's Miles Byrd, the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-6 wing brings a versatile, defensive-minded game, averaging 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and over three combined steals and blocks per game last season.

Kentucky is also in the mix for former Notre Dame forward Jalen Haralson, a highly-touted recruit now seeking a new home. The 6-foot-7 prospect possesses significant upside and could be a major piece for Pope's system. Perhaps the most intriguing target is Oregon's Kwame Evans Jr., a 6-foot-10 center who ranks as the No. 28 overall player in the 247Sports transfer rankings, offering immediate size and talent in the frontcourt.

The Wildcats' expansive target list doesn't stop there. Jones also reported Kentucky's interest in a group including Finley Bizjack (Butler), Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas), Devin Venterpool (FAU), Dedan Thomas Jr. (LSU), and Tyrone Riley IV (San Francisco). Securing a few of these top targets would give Big Blue Nation plenty of optimism as Coach Pope assembles his first roster in Lexington.