Analyzing the Big 10’s Unranked Commits in Early September, Pt. 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Use code ‘PREP30' at checkout to receive 30% off your annual subscription!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're officially two weeks into recruitment for the Class of 2026, and there's a lot to cover. Last week, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/09/analyzing-the-big-10s-unranked-commits-in-early-september-pt-1/">I broke down the unranked commits bound for the Big 10, starting with Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, and Johns Hopkins in Part I</a>, with several of those schools adding verbals since). Now, let's get into Penn State and Ohio State's recruits outside of the <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/national/player-rankings/2026-rankings/">Top 100</a>. <br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["78393"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e43f5eda833"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buy McCottry's stock now before it keeps climbing. Prioritized by a handful of Big 10 and ACC programs in early September, McCottry's best lacrosse is ahead of him after a breakthrough summer. A tough, rangy 6'3 left-hander who makes his presence felt every time he's out there, McCottry is part of a trio of promising junior defensemen at Loyola, a program known for sending poles to top Division I programs. After showing flashes as a sophomore on varsity, he excelled with FCA this summer and had an impressive showing at NHSLS. He's a playmaker on the back end who has terrific hands and fundamentally sound approaches, two qualities that allow him to be disruptive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21002"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e43f5eda8b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Piffath, who narrowly missed the Top 100, quickly found a home at Penn State, where he'll join his older brother Kevin, a freshman defenseman. At 6'1 and 190 pounds, Kevin already has the frame to play Big 10 lacrosse along with the proper mindset and intangibles. He plays with an edge and is outstanding with his positioning, to the point where it always feels like he's got things under control, even when quicker attackmen get a step. Piffath is great at playing the leverage game at GLE and is an excellent communicator away from the ball — all qualities you often find when recruiting Malvern. One Division I assistant coach I spoke to recently raved about his improvement from his first summer event to his last (and I couldn't help but agree), which speaks volumes about his long-term development, especially given the fact that he plays for a high school program that has been a breeding ground for talent on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["81150"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e7a06b1f481"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cambrelen was a priority recruit for the Buckeyes, announcing his commitment to Nick Myers' program 10 days in. This one may have flown under the radar a bit, however, there's a lot to love about Cambrelen's versatility, though he projects as a d-middie in Columbus. He first jumped onto my radar back in the fall, then caught my eye at July's LI Summer Showdown in one of the last events of the summer. Cambrelen does many things at a high level and always shows off his instincts and nonstop motor. Coaches could feel comfortable leaving him out on an island (and against highly capable dodgers) becuase of his ability to disrupt opposing middies' dodges. He's gritty and gets underneath guys, plus, he's excellent away from the ball and in transition. Bulking up between now and his arrival at OSU will be paramount, but he has all the other necessary tools to be a contributor on a Big 10 rope unit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["45460"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e7a06b1f4e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Originally from Tennesee, Gaertner is incredibly polished and technical at the face-off dot. I got a really good sense of his game at Maverik Showtime, where he was named an All-Star and showed off his explosive hand speed and powerful clamps. There's diversity in terms of the ways he's able to exit, and he does a really nice job adjusting as each game progresses. He's plenty capable in his ball in his stick - it felt like that was an area that he improved as the summer went on. With his 6'0, 205-pound frame, technique, grit, and athleticism, seeing him become an early Big 10 commit wasn't remotely surprising. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["81152"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e7a06b1f52a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Weber definitely flew under the radar, so he was a total blind spot for me, and I didn't know anything about him until I learned of his commitment and turned on his highlights. Right off the bat, it became clear that he's long, rangy, and will follow you into the parking lot. He plays with a ton of energy, hunting down ball-carriers from sideline to sideline and looking to make a play. Weber is constantly putting the ball on the ground, gaining control with first-time groundballs, and then making the appropriate decision. I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->