'26 Maryland Rankings: Top Uncommitted Public School Talent

With the Maryland high school scene historically dominated by private schools, top talent from the state's public schools can often get overlooked, even though there's no shortage of talent across the state. <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/01/class-of-2026-maryland-rankings-top-40-juniors-watchlist/">As part of today's unveiling of the Class of 2026 state rankings</a>, let's look at a few of the top players still on the board. For access to the 90-man list, rankings-related content, and year-round coverage of high school lacrosse and recruiting, use code ‘PREP30′ at checkout to receive 30% off your annual or two-year subscription.    Buscher is the kind of player whose incredible quicks make his film appear almost sped up. The uber-talented lefty can separate at will and change direction on a dime with outstanding body control. Even when poles manage to come within a stick's length and try to alter his shot delivery, Buscher is poised and smooth enough to finish inside with flair. He has awesome hands and wrists that allow him to make goalies move with a series of fakes, but when he's in the position to become a shooter, the ball absolutely flies out of his stick. There's no doubt that he belongs at attack — Buscher is a bonafide menace on the ride — however, he's at his best above the cage, where he can work his magic in space. As a sophomore, he received All-County honors after putting up 31 goals and 10 assists, then followed that up by picking up All-Tournament recognition at Platinum Cup and Baltimore Summer Kickoff in June.     The energy and heart with which Lawhorne plays are unmistakable. The 5'9 two-way midfielder was a workhorse for the eight-time defending state champions, tallying 25 goals and 20 assists to go with a whopping 75 groundballs. In the state title game, Lawhorne not only scored what turned out to be the goal that the Falcons needed to ice the game, but he also scooped up a key GB to help his team run out the clock. Lawhorne is a tough and athletic middie who is a force when going from defense to offense and a tremendous asset on the wings of face-offs. As an offensive weapon, he's got an excellent first step and change of direction and can make things happen with pretty skip passes in addition to his outside shot.     An incredibly balanced offensive weapon on track to be a four-year starter for one of Howard County's top programs, Machiran tallied 29 goals, 30 assists, and 51 groundballs as a sophomore and was named First Team All-County. The smooth left-handed playmaker is a reliable goal-scorer in tight with a full bag of tricks, and he's plenty capable of finding the open man as a feeder, often catching teams ball-watching when he's at X. In addition, he's known to consistently get underneath defenses when attacking from above GLE or show off his stellar shot from deep. After showing well at the Free State Games and the New Balance Underclass event with the Baltimore squad, Machiran joined the Old Line Elite squad this fall and impressed both with and without the ball in his stick.     Mazcko had a terrific sophomore campaign for the 3A state champs, posting 76 groundballs, 25 caused turnovers, four goals, and four assists during the Falcons' 18-1 season. Long and rangy at 6'3, Mazcko is incredibly impactful in the middle of the field and has excellent stick skills that allow him to be an offensive threat once he crosses the midline. He loves to press out and be aggressive, and when positioned up high in the riding game, he's been known to cause disruption. This fall, Mazcko made a considerable amount of plays off-ball, using his length and active stick to knock down passes, make interceptions, and get the ball moving upfield.     This energetic and quick-handed lefty was the lone sophomore to garner MSLCA 'teamer' honors in 2024, tabbed as the All-State Public School First Team keeper after helping undefeated Urbana to a 4A state title. Listed at 150 pounds, Thayer is light on his feet between the pipes and makes a habit out of stoning would-be goal-scorers in tight. At the annual IL ID Experience in late October, I was impressed by his ability to lead the defense and orchestrate the clearing game with confidence, skills that distinguish goalies at individual showcases. College programs seeking a '26 goalie should keep an eye on this Frederick native, who already boasts a terrific body of work: a 72% save rate and an average of just 3.15 goals allowed per game for the 20-0 Hawks.     A Second Team All-County selection as a sophomore, Williams displays the proper attributes and mindset required to make a significant impact at the shortstick position. When left on an island, he wastes no time getting his hands on guys and maintaining constant contact when he's on-ball, causing opponents to think twice before going at him again. Able to run all day, Williams possesses outstanding foot speed and can get upfield in a hurry, so he's pivotal in the clearing game and can go East/West in addition to North/South. Williams routinely scores in unsettled situations and loves to take the ball below GLE before beating his man topside. This fall, he put together an impressive campaign on the football field, where he's a ballhawk on defense.     A crafty goal-scorer with a box background, Zepp's skill set certainly stands out among his peers. He's got awesome stick skills and a nose for the goal, but he's also deceptively slippery as a dodger and can create scoring plays from both above and below GLE. As a freshman, he ran out of the box for the Carroll County champions and was an honorable mention All-County pick, then bumped down to attack, earning First Team honors after racking up 31 goals and 19 assists for the Owls. As a time-and-room shooter, Zepp places shots exceptionally well and makes it tough for goalies to get a good read due to his different release points. His feet are always moving without the ball, and when he's under duress, he does a really nice job of shooting through his defender.

With the Maryland high school scene historically dominated by private schools, top talent from the state's public schools can often get overlooked, even though there's no shortage of talent across the state. As part of today's unveiling of the Class of 2026 state rankings, let's look at a few of the top players still on the board.

For access to the 90-man list, rankings-related content, and year-round coverage of high school lacrosse and recruiting, use code ‘PREP30′ at checkout to receive 30% off your annual or two-year subscription.