Analyzing The Big 10's Unranked Commits in Early September, Pt. 1

Use code 'PREP30' at checkout to receive 30% off your annual subscription! We're nearly two weeks into recruitment for the Class of 2026, and verbal commitments have been steadily rolling in. As one might imagine, there's a ton more high-level talent than what you see in the <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/national/player-rankings/2026-rankings/">Prep Lacrosse Top 100</a>, so let's take a look at the top unranked commits to decide on Big 10 programs, starting with a spotlight on verbals to Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, and Johns Hopkins in Part I. Check back soon for more on Ohio State and Penn State's commits.    I've always respected Maryland's ability to evaluate (and develop) defensive midfielders, and the Terps picked another promising SSDM prospect in Williams, who is one of the fastest players in the junior class. Coming out of Salisbury's SweetLax Florida pipeline, Williams can absolutely fly, getting from restraining line to restraining line at an astonishing rate. For obvious reasons, the Orlando native is so dependable in the clearing game, not just due to his speed, but his ability to make the right decisions time after time. I love how opportunistic he is with the ball in his stick, and while most of his goals come in transition, he's someone you must keep an eye on when he gets a full head of steam given that he can blow past you if you slide upfield to him. I'd bet on Williams having a breakout year for the Crimson Knights in the spring of 2025.     These were my first notes on McBride this summer in one of his first games at Maverik Showtime, where he'd earn All-Star honors: "Plays with a mean streak, always in the right spot, great instincts." Having watched him more as the summer progressed (after liking what I saw from him on Taft's live streams in the spring), those words sum up his game fairly well. A transfer from Wheaton Academy (Ill.) last year, McBride also wrestled and played football at the varsity level, so the toughness and physicality make sense. On the lacrosse field, he doesn't just search for a big hit, as there's much more to his game. He's great at getting his stick in the passing lanes and on-point as the second slide. I'll be really intrigued to see how his game grows between now and his arrival in Ann Arbor, having committed to the Wolverines on September 5th.     Gouse just barely missed out on the Top 100, as he's one of the very best face-off specialists in the entire class. He consistently impressed on the summer circuit, habitually winning the ball cleanly out in front to create early offense. Gouse is phenomenal in that area of the game, as evidenced by his 23 goals and eight assists while winning 71 percent as a sophomore. Stylistically and physically, he's drawn a handful of comparisons to Luke Wierman, and if he has anything close to that kind of career, then the Terps are in awfully good shape.     Reclassing from '25 to '26, the Chapel Hill (N.C.) resident had a tremendous year at STAB, earning 2nd Team All-State honors after posting 63 goals and 13 assists. He came on like gangbusters to start the summer and turned in a tremendous showing at Best In Class, excelling during the skills and drills portion and then carrying that over to game play. Excelling with Madlax from that point on, he was off the charts at the National All-Star Games coming out of the dead period, where he scored in bunches and constantly attacked opposing defenses with his aggressive dodging style. He goes so hard to the cage and is always creating separation, showing off his bounce while dodging to feed and dodging to score. He does his best work when attacking from the wings, and while he's played mostly attack, he could turn out to be a great invert middie at Homewood.       A bull in a china shop, Helton and Rutgers are the perfect match. After posting 49 goals and 24 assists as a sophomore, Helton quickly became endeared on the summer circuit, bringing his running back mentality to the lacrosse field and barreling downhill with his 5'11, 200-plus pound frame. He's got far more than just bull-dodging in his repertoire, with the athleticism to match to allow him to create separation against shortsticks frequently. Helton is also rather nimble for his size, and constantly kept defenses on their toes and forced them to change the ways they defended him. Helton's shot on the run is impressive - he doesn't need much room to get shots off - and he's a force with his step-downs, snapping it off with accuracy.

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We're nearly two weeks into recruitment for the Class of 2026, and verbal commitments have been steadily rolling in. As one might imagine, there's a ton more high-level talent than what you see in the Prep Lacrosse Top 100, so let's take a look at the top unranked commits to decide on Big 10 programs, starting with a spotlight on verbals to Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, and Johns Hopkins in Part I. Check back soon for more on Ohio State and Penn State's commits.