Freestate Games: Maryland 2026s Still Flying Under the Radar

The Freestate Showcase, hosted by the Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches' Association (MSLCA), continues to be one of the premier stages for in-state talent—and the uncommitted 2026 class made the most of it. With college coaches watching closely, this group of rising seniors put on a show, proving that Maryland's pipeline of high-level prospects remains as strong as ever. From physical defenders and explosive midfielders to crafty attackmen and poised faceoff specialists, these players stood out in a field full of hungry competitors and showed they're ready for the next level. Let's take a look at some uncommitted 2026s in Maryland:    Few players at the Freestate Showcase had the offensive impact that Machiran did. Whether he was setting up a teammate or finishing it himself, the crafty lefty attackman was the catalyst for his team's offense. His production—multiple goals and assists—only told part of the story. What really stood out was his ability to consistently break down defenders and create quality chances.   Machiran's dodging is slick and efficient, especially from his left side. He has a knack for getting to the doorstep or buying just enough time to read a slide and make the right decision. One of his most impressive qualities is his feel for timing—knowing exactly when to deliver a pass or rip a shot, often just before his defender's check lands. That poise and IQ under pressure makes him a serious threat every time he touches the ball. With his combination of skill, vision, and timing, Machiran was without question one of the most dynamic offensive players on the field—and a name to remember in the 2026 class.     With a 6-foot-5 frame and a commanding presence, [player_tooltip player_id='129265' first='Joshua' last='Howard'] was impossible to miss at the Freestate Showcase. The physical defender checked just about every box you look for in a high-level prospect—he applied constant pressure on-ball, scooped up ground balls with ease, and showed confidence pushing in transition. He even ran out several shots, showcasing his hustle and IQ in key moments.   Howard held his own against the top attackmen in the event, using his length and strength to disrupt dodges and force tough shots. His stickwork was sharp, and he showed flashes of being a complete defender. If he continues to improve his off-ball awareness, Howard has the tools to be a serious difference-maker at the next level. With his combination of size, athleticism, and upside, Howard was one of the most intriguing defensive prospects on the field—and his ceiling is only getting higher.     [player_tooltip player_id='129267' first='Jack' last='Hanna'] fit right in with Glenelg's offense—a group loaded with slick, undersized players who thrived in their 2-2-2 set. He was one of the guys who made the whole system click. Off-ball, Hanna was super deceptive in how he set picks and created space for teammates. With the ball, he showed he could score with either hand, finishing multiple goals during the Freestate Showcase. He also had a couple of “almost assists”—feeds that deserved a finish but just didn't land.   What really stood out was the bounce in his dodges. He could shake a defender, draw help, and make something happen in tight windows. Hanna doesn't need much room to operate, and his feel for timing and spacing makes him a tough cover—especially in two-man actions.     [player_tooltip player_id='129269' first='Connor' last='Rayburn'] made a strong impression at the Freestate Showcase with one of the best on-the-run shots at the event. His lefty windup draws comparisons to Brennan O'Neill—it's low and hard to read. Rayburn pulls the ball deep behind his body, close to the ground, then snaps it forward with strong wrists and pinpoint placement.   But he wasn't just a shooter with the ball in his stick. Off-ball, Rayburn played with a high IQ and great timing. Anytime he saw the back of his defender's head, he made smart cuts into space, putting himself in prime position to finish. With a dangerous combination of shooting mechanics, strength, and off-ball instincts, Rayburn is a name to watch closely in the 2026 class.     If you're a college coach searching for a physically imposing defender who thrives on pressure, [player_tooltip player_id='129271' first='Zachary' last='Droski'] should be on your radar. From the moment he stepped on the field at the Freestate Showcase, he looked like someone attackmen didn't want to line up against.   Droski plays with a gritty edge and isn't afraid to let you feel it. He throws heavy checks, hunts double teams with intensity, and delivers punishing slides that knock players off balance. But he's not just a bruiser—Droski also showed he can handle the ball with confidence and make smart decisions in transition.   With his size, toughness, and aggressive play style, Droski is the kind of defender who can set the tone for a defense—and he has the tools to contribute early at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='129273' first='Davis' last='Bates'] went 8-for-14 on faceoffs at the Freestate Showcase and showed why he's a name to know in the 2026 class. More often than not, he was the quickest specialist to the clamp. His lightning-fast wrists gave him a clear edge, whether he was popping the ball out to himself or placing it perfectly to a wing.   When opponents countered, Bates stayed composed and found other ways to create possession—often by smartly goosing the ball to a teammate. He played with pace and awareness throughout.   If he continues to build confidence on ground balls and becomes more consistent through contact, Bates has the tools to develop into a high-level faceoff specialist at the next level.     Whether it was in transition, settled offense, or clearing the ball with a full head of steam, [player_tooltip player_id='124006' first='Logan' last='Rogers'] made his presence felt at the Freestate Showcase. His clears looked more like punt returns—bouncing off contact and bulldozing his way upfield. Once in the box, he showcased a heavy shot and the ability to create offense in multiple ways.   Rogers also impressed as a passer, flashing a few no-look feeds—including one that turned into a highlight-reel assist. He's a physical dodger who doesn't shy away from contact and knows how to exploit short-stick matchups by lowering his shoulder and driving through defenders.   With his blend of toughness, creativity, and playmaking ability, Rogers brings real two-way value and upside at the next level.     It wasn't just the stat sheet that made [player_tooltip player_id='129275' first='Matthew' last='Kehring'] stand out at the Freestate Showcase—it was the intangibles. He played with physicality and discipline on defense, delivering a heavy check that sent a clear message to anyone thinking about testing the middle. He also completely jammed up an opposing midfielder, forcing him nearly to the endline.   On the offensive end, Kehring's IQ showed in the details. He created space with sharp separation before setting a great pick near the goal line—an unselfish play that led to a scoring chance. And he closed out the event in style, burying a downhill dodge goal right before the final buzzer.   Kehring's blend of grit, awareness, and timely play on both ends gives him real next-level potential—and makes him a guy coaches will want in their locker room.     A dynamic midfielder with a balanced skillset, [player_tooltip player_id='129277' first='Drew' last='Hanna'] made an impact every time the ball was in his stick at the Freestate Showcase. Though he's naturally a righty, he buried two impressive left-handed goals, showing his versatility and confidence as a scorer.   The first came off a smooth split dodge down the alley, where he created separation and finished with precision. His second came in early offense—he ran through a soft slide and snapped a shot to the corner without hesitation. Hanna plays with pace, poise, and the kind of two-handed ability that makes him tough to gameplan for.   With his scoring instincts and ability to beat defenders in multiple ways, Hanna is a name to watch in the 2026 midfield class.     Physicality was the name of the game for [player_tooltip player_id='129279' first='Zach' last='Garvin'] at the Freestate Showcase. The big-bodied defender delivered a few heavy hits that sent a clear message—attackmen thought twice before challenging him again. His presence alone shifted how offenses operated.   But Garvin isn't just a bruiser. He's athletic enough to get up and down the field and has the skill set to play LSM. He excelled on ground balls, showed confidence with the ball in his stick, and looked comfortable in transition.   With his combination of size, physical play, and positional flexibility, Garvin has next-level potential that college coaches will want to keep an eye on.

The Freestate Showcase, hosted by the Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches' Association (MSLCA), continues to be one of the premier stages for in-state talent—and the uncommitted 2026 class made the most of it. With college coaches watching closely, this group of rising seniors put on a show, proving that Maryland's pipeline of high-level prospects remains as strong as ever. From physical defenders and explosive midfielders to crafty attackmen and poised faceoff specialists, these players stood out in a field full of hungry competitors and showed they're ready for the next level. Let's take a look at some uncommitted 2026s in Maryland: