Unveiling the Five-Stars and Top 50 Recruits in the Class of 2026

Use the code <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/subscribe/">‘PREP30' at checkout for 30% off annual and two-year subscriptions on Prep Lacrosse</a> for daily, year-round coverage of the recruiting and high school scene. As the clock moves closer to September 1, it's time to start releasing <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/national/player-rankings/2026-rankings/">the first wave of Class of 2026 rankings</a>, starting with the five-star recruits and Top 50, followed by Tuesday's release of 51-100 and a subsequent Watch List later in the week. Check back in the coming days for our extended list as well as more analysis on the top players in the class, and for a better idea of how the '26 class stacks up, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/08/2026-recruiting-how-top-evaluators-anonymously-view-the-class/">read up on Division I recruiters' anonymous thoughts on each positional group and the class as a whole</a>. 1. Dylan Faison, M, St. Andrew's (Fla.) | Team 91 Long Island Becoming the state's first No. 1 recruit from Florida since Jared Bernhardt in 2016, the younger Faison is committed to Notre Dame's football program at Notre Dame. In a few days, he'll officially be committed to Kevin Corrigan's two-time defending champion lacrosse program as well (though that's more of a formality), where his brother Jordan is off to a terrific start as a two-sport stalwart. An unbelievably talented player who toys with opposing defenses thanks to his ridiculous athleticism and elite skills, Faison has played both attack and midfield at a high level. He's at his best out of the midfield despite having lined up at attack as a sophomore and putting up a not-too-shabby stat line of 97 goals and 45 assists for the Scots. This summer, he was off-the-charts at every stop, including a stellar campaign at Maverik Showtime, where he posted four goals in the All-Star Game. "He's a flat-out freak who looked unguardable this summer," said an offensive coordinator. "Some of the stuff we all saw was like a cheat code." 2. James Gillis, M, Chaminade (N.Y.) | LI Express A tenacious competitor, Gillis can do it all. He started at attack as a sophomore and racked up 32 goals and 16 assists, though he'll be primarily recruited as a midfielder. His willingness to play any role jumps off the page: he'll take wings when called upon, get back in the hole on defense, and pack a punch in the riding game. But most notably, of course, he'll get to his spots with the ball in his stick or create scoring opportunities without the ball. This summer, nobody was able to slow him down. "His best attributes are his competitiveness and consistency," said a coach in the ACC. "He's fiery, and he was always so productive and never left a game with no points while playing either position." Although this may not come as much of a surprise since he's a Chaminade Flyer, Duke and Notre Dame will be the two teams to beat for Gillis' services.   3. Tedy Frisoli, A, St. Sebastian's (Mass.) | Laxachusetts The next in line in the Frisoli clan, Tedy was a bonafide force in one of the nation's most reputable leagues, posting 38 goals and 42 assists for the Arrows. He has excellent body control and athleticism and is fearless and dynamic as a dodger, showing QB tendencies with his head up and always putting himself and his teammates in the right position to be successful. This summer, he kept his momentum going and was consistently dominant for a Laxachusetts squad full to the brim with high-level Division I talent. "He's just a special lacrosse player, period," said a top assistant, who called him the best quarterback type in the class. "He can play all over the place, which is a huge advantage, and he isn't afraid to be in the middle of things." Given his family ties, watch out for Duke and the Ivies in Frisoli's recruitment. 4. Jace Banks, A, Hill School (Pa.) | FCA Maryland Banks was an absolute revelation this summer: anyone unfamiliar with his skill set quickly found out that the Delaware native is every bit of a five-star recruit. His five-goal showing at NAL against LI Express in June was one of the most impressive club performances in recent memory. Uber-athletic, composed, and explosive with the ball in his stick, Banks is most dangerous above the cage and makes running by defensemen look flat-out effortless. "The sky is the limit for this kid, and his best lacrosse is still ahead of him," said an assistant coach at a perennial title contender. "He's just different, and he can beat you off the dribble whenever the ball is in his stick."   5. Cooper Brozek, A, Deerfield (Mass.) | 3d New England, Evolve Elite The top Canadian in the class, the lefty has been a known commodity since his freshman year for a Deerfield program with no shortage of veteran talent. Although he's known more as an off-ball finisher, there's a lot more to his game, as he has routinely taken his man to the rack to keep opponents on their toes. As a shooter, he can stretch a defense from a plethora of release points, and finish inside at a high clip. "He could be the best guy in the class," said a head coach at a NCAA Tournament team. "He's so versatile in that he's a finisher who is unbelievable without the ball but can dodge when needed. His skill set should translate impeccably well at the next level. In a class loaded with top lefty goal-scorers, the 6'2 Toronto native stands out above the rest and will have a who's who of top Division I programs throwing everything at him come 9/1.   6. Lucas Garcia, A, Brunswick (Conn.) | Prime Time Having dazzled with the Prime Time 2025s for quite some time, the versatile offensive weapon broke through for the mighty Bruins this year and posted 27 goals and 22 assists for a senior-laden squad. Incredibly savvy, skilled, and fleet of foot, Garcia can create offense from just about everywhere, thriving when attacking from below the goal line, the wings, or up top when running out of the box as a midfielder. His motor is always running, and his vision is excellent as well, as Garcia is as good at making others better as any other offensive recruit in the class. While he's not considered to be big at any stretch at 5'11 and 170 pounds, "He's a 360-degree player because he's played above and below the goal," said one offensive coordinator. "He's one of the more athletic guys and can do more from different areas of the field, which stands out." Could he join his Brunswick teammates at Virginia, or will he decide to head elsewhere? 7. Hunter Metz, A, McDonogh (Md.) | Crabs Joining the Eagles' starting attack with the program coming off of two consecutive MIAA titles, the left-hander fit in wonderfully on a star-studded attack line and registered 37 goals and 23 assists while helping McDonogh lift yet another championship trophy. A bonafide goal-scorer who has the skills, size, IQ, and hands required to thrive, Metz's game grew as the spring progressed. With eventual Baltimore Sun Player of the Year and Notre Dame freshman Luke Miller sidelined by an injury for the non-conference schedule, Metz's confidence and overall skill set blossomed. "Watching him, it was quickly apparent how well he understands the game," said one ACC assistant coach. "He knows where he's going with the ball when he gets it, and his production as a goal-scorer is just super impressive." The Fighting Irish will be tough to beat for Metz's services, but that won't stop everyone from pursuing him. 8. Bennett Matthews, M, Bedford (N.H.) | NH Tomahawks A freak athlete who stands 6'1 and 185 pounds, it didn't take long for Matthews to win over an army of reputable recruiters, who all rave about his high ceiling and overall ability. Likely the best player to come out of New Hampshire since Ryder Garnsey, Matthews tallied 68 goals and 36 assists as a sophomore after starting at safety for Bedford's varsity football team in the fall. "What I love about him is that he is constantly willing to attack poles and is one of the few guys that does that," said a veteran assistant coach. "He's a downhill guy who runs by guys and shoots the ball with both hands at a high level. He has ACC written all over him." Duke might be the front-runner for Matthews, according to multiple sources.   9. Hansen Peck, A, Lawrenceville (N.J.) | Team 91 Long Island Yet another top-flight lefty attackman, Peck stepped right in and put up a whopping 57 goals and 20 assists for the back-to-back national champions, transferring into the Big Red's lacrosse program after beginning his career at Schuylerville HS outside of Albany. Peck can stretch the field with the best of them and opens up scoring opportunities with his intelligent off-ball work, but he's also smooth with the ball in his stick and is far from a one-trick pony. "I just love how composed he is," said a top assistant coach at a perennial power. "He's a talented shooter and an off-ball guy at the next level, and I could see him playing a role like an Owen Hiltz at Syracuse." The Orange will be one of the main contenders, as will a pair of Big 10 programs.   10. Hunter Mezzatesta, G, Yorktown (N.Y.) | Express North Mezzatesta has been a household name in the lacrosse world for a while now, having played up with the Express North 2025s and earned MVP honors in last summer's Maverik Showtime All-Star Game, where he put on one of the more impressive goalie performances in the event's history. Standing out between the pipes for the Huskers in lacrosse-crazy Yorktown, Mezzatesta's work ethic and overall consistency are exactly what you'd want to see from a top goalie prospect, and he's the No. 1 keeper by a wide margin. "It's just clear how much he wants to become a great goalie," said one defensive coordinator. "It feels like he played an awful lot of lacrosse in the summer, yet his talent level was always beyond evident, which is impressive given how high he set the bar earlier in his career." Look for schools like Virginia and Notre Dame to lead the way in Mezzatesta's recruitment. 11. Tuck Gilbane, A, Noble & Greenough (Mass.) | Laxachusetts 12. Joe Ligas, D, Whitney (Calif.) | ADVNC, West Coast Starz 13. Jayden James, D, St. John's (D.C.) | DC Express, Hilltop 14. Ethan Bramoff, LSM, St. Anthony's (N.Y.) | LI Express 15. Noah Han, A, Georgetown Prep (Md.) | Next Level 16. Jacob Johnston, M, St. Anthony's (N.Y.) | LI Express For the rest of the Top 50, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/national/player-rankings/2026-rankings/">click here</a>.

Use the code ‘PREP30' at checkout for 30% off annual and two-year subscriptions on Prep Lacrosse for daily, year-round coverage of the recruiting and high school scene.

As the clock moves closer to September 1, it's time to start releasing the first wave of Class of 2026 rankings, starting with the five-star recruits and Top 50, followed by Tuesday's release of 51-100 and a subsequent Watch List later in the week.

Check back in the coming days for our extended list as well as more analysis on the top players in the class, and for a better idea of how the '26 class stacks up, read up on Division I recruiters' anonymous thoughts on each positional group and the class as a whole.

1. Dylan Faison, M, St. Andrew's (Fla.) | Team 91 Long Island

Becoming the state's first No. 1 recruit from Florida since Jared Bernhardt in 2016, the younger Faison is committed to Notre Dame's football program at Notre Dame. In a few days, he'll officially be committed to Kevin Corrigan's two-time defending champion lacrosse program as well (though that's more of a formality), where his brother Jordan is off to a terrific start as a two-sport stalwart.

An unbelievably talented player who toys with opposing defenses thanks to his ridiculous athleticism and elite skills, Faison has played both attack and midfield at a high level. He's at his best out of the midfield despite having lined up at attack as a sophomore and putting up a not-too-shabby stat line of 97 goals and 45 assists for the Scots. This summer, he was off-the-charts at every stop, including a stellar campaign at Maverik Showtime, where he posted four goals in the All-Star Game.

"He's a flat-out freak who looked unguardable this summer," said an offensive coordinator. "Some of the stuff we all saw was like a cheat code."

2. James Gillis, M, Chaminade (N.Y.) | LI Express

A tenacious competitor, Gillis can do it all. He started at attack as a sophomore and racked up 32 goals and 16 assists, though he'll be primarily recruited as a midfielder. His willingness to play any role jumps off the page: he'll take wings when called upon, get back in the hole on defense, and pack a punch in the riding game. But most notably, of course, he'll get to his spots with the ball in his stick or create scoring opportunities without the ball. This summer, nobody was able to slow him down.

"His best attributes are his competitiveness and consistency," said a coach in the ACC. "He's fiery, and he was always so productive and never left a game with no points while playing either position."

Although this may not come as much of a surprise since he's a Chaminade Flyer, Duke and Notre Dame will be the two teams to beat for Gillis' services.