2026 Recruiting: Scouting the South’s Nine Recent Commitments

During the January and early February surge of Division I commitments, no region stood out more prominently than the South. Southern states produced double-digit verbals, with players committing to programs like Army, UAlbany, Queens (x4), Sacred Heart, Cleveland State, Wagner, and Iona. Earlier this week, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/02/recruiting-rundown-januarys-service-academy-commitments/">we spotlighted all six recent service academy commits</a>, including Tennessee's Baxter Johnson — Army's second 2026 pledge from the Volunteer State. Today, we're diving into a breakdown of eight more commitments from the South.    Skilled and athletic with a tall frame, Barbee has been on my radar for a while now, steadily building an impressive body of work on the showcase circuit as an underclassman. He's noticeably added muscle while refining his footwork, decision-making, and overall game. Barbee's stick work is arguably his best asset — he has excellent hands and instincts. Though he tends to be active with his stick on-ball and throws a lot of checks, his precision and mindset make him a disruptive force. At times, he needs to be reined in, but his ability to create havoc and then become a threat in transition is undeniable. Capable of shifting between close defense and LSM but almost certainly a pole at the next level, Barbee is a high-motor competitor who thrives in the middle of the field. His energetic, sideline-to-sideline playing style makes him a valuable asset in any defensive scheme.     <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/10/top-uncommitted-26s-defenders-down-south/">Highlighted more in-depth in October's post on the South's top uncommitted '26 defender</a>s, Booth was an excellent pickup for a geographically diverse UAlbany class. The future Great Dane has an impressively polished defensive acumen along with ideal size and athleticism, serving as a leader on a highly talented 3d Georgia backline. On the fall circuit, it felt like Booth played with even more confidence and poise than he did before, which says a lot. Playing for two great programs, he's bound to get even better between now and his arrival in the Capital Region.     A First Team All-State pick after racking up 45 goals and 25 assists as a sophomore, Burke is exceptionally skilled and plays well beyond his years. The son of Westlake coach Zach Burke and the younger brother of Texas Longhorn edge rusher Ethan Burke (6'6, 260), the newly minted Sacred Heart commit doesn't have yet have the same size, but it seems inevitable that he'll grow into it. His stick work, dodging repertoire, and feel for the game are off the charts. He has a knack for manipulating defenses with his eyes, stick, and with some subtle head fakes, consistently putting himself in position to make plays. He separates at will and attacks congested areas of the field without hesitation. Burke was excellent at NHSLS, delivering highlight-worthy plays against one of the best teams in attendance when I was on the sidelines. A dynamic and cerebral offensive threat, he's a fantastic addition to Jon Basti's 2026 class.     Coachys wasn't on my radar until November, when he made an impression with a string of strong performances before committing to upstart Iona just days into 2025. A Florida native who has played for several southern-based clubs, the lefty boasts an explosive first step and attacks matchups with confidence. At times, he can get caught dancing too much, but when he dodges with intent, his footwork, skill, and athleticism allow him to beat defenders consistently. He frequently uses change of direction, a hard jab step, or a quick split to create separation. With the ball in his stick, Coachys displays a deep bag of tricks and has become increasingly comfortable using his off-hand.     Only halfway through his high school career, Clodfelter ranks as the second all-time point-getter in program history. Also a standout football player, he brings plenty of physicality to the lacrosse field, using his sturdy 190-pound frame to his advantage. Clodfelter turns the corner with authority and can create offense from anywhere, whether attacking from behind the cage or stretching the defense as an outside shooter when creating from up top. His ability to read matchups, combined with soft hands and a natural scoring instinct, makes him a consistent offensive threat. Simply put, he knows how to win his battles. Queens may have landed a steal with this one.     Every time I watched his club team, the big middie from Greensboro Day kept making plays. An imposing offensive force, Coffield is tough to stop when he gets his 6'2, 220-pound frame moving downhill with a full head of steam. While he's not a burner, he creates constant mismatches and thrives on initiating contact to free his hands, yet he's deceptively nimble. Off-ball, he's a savvy and opportunistic cutter with great hands, making him a prime interior target. Even when passes are off the mark, Coffield finds a way to capitalize. He's a fun watch, and I'm excited to see how his game translates at the next level.     Watch Jolley's highlights, and you'll see an impressive range of plays in every facet — whether he's clearing the ball coast-to-coast, finishing twisters on the doorstep, or taking his man to the rack. His fall reel opens with back-to-back moves that send defenders to the turf, setting the tone for what he brings to the field. At 6'0 and 200 pounds, Jolley has great size and moves smoothly, showcasing elite hands and skill. He's continued to round out his game, making noticeable strides in drawing slides and finding teammates. Through two seasons, the Roanoke native has racked up 68 goals and 37 assists for North Cross School.     An under-the-radar prospect in Texas' deep junior class, Poe averaged nearly five points per game in the spring, finishing with 62 goals, 12 assists, and 48 groundballs. While his summer film isn't readily available, he made his mark at both local and national events over the last few months, excelling as a dodger and off-ball threat. What stands out about Poe (besides a great name, of course) is his strong understanding of spacing — he consistently puts himself in the right spots to generate scoring chances and can make things happen off the re-dodge. He's capable of beating his man off the dribble from all over the field, and has shown flashes of being a facilitator. Whether he's dodging to feed, getting up the hash from X, or burying shots from the wings and up top, Poe finds ways to make an impact.     While much of the summer spotlight was on 3d Georgia's defensive standouts, Robertson and his fellow uncommitted attackmen turned heads in early November. A crafty scorer who thrives on the right-handed wing, he provides a spark both offensively and on the ride, where his energy and competitiveness are impossible to miss. There's plenty of creativity in his game — he's fundamentally sound, and confident in his ability, often finishing with flair. I love the snappiness of his wrists, which allow him to get shots off in a flash, whether catching and firing or using multiple fakes to freeze the goalie before burying his chances.

During the January and early February surge of Division I commitments, no region stood out more prominently than the South. Southern states produced double-digit verbals, with players committing to programs like Army, UAlbany, Queens (x4), Sacred Heart, Cleveland State, Wagner, and Iona.

Earlier this week, we spotlighted all six recent service academy commits, including Tennessee's Baxter Johnson — Army's second 2026 pledge from the Volunteer State. Today, we're diving into a breakdown of eight more commitments from the South.