Class of 2026 Update: Five Stars for Five More Recruits

Much has changed since we first <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/national/player-rankings/2026-rankings">released the Top 100 for the Class of 2026</a> nearly a year ago, as junior year has always been a huge time for player development. After <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/08/unveiling-the-five-stars-and-top-50-recruits-in-the-class-of-2026">naming 16 five-stars last August</a>, five more players have earned five-star status — get to know them below!    Balsamo has experienced a meteoric rise since last summer. He put on an absolute show during the fall and scored in bunches, then carried over that confidence to the spring, during which he led the Flyers in assists (37) and points (75) yet was somehow snubbed from Newsday's First Team All-Long Island squad. This summer, Balsamo was as dominant as any attackman in the country, validating Virginia's late spring decision to take him as a '26 after he originally committed as a '27 last September. A fiery competitor who plays under control at all times, he's a high-percentage scorer who can finish the ball both fundamentally and with flair, and is a dangerous feeder able to throw guys open with his off-the-charts IQ. On top of that, he's a demon in the riding game, picking up 31 groundballs and causing 11 turnovers as a junior.     A physical playmaker from South Jersey, Brennan's improvement was on display all year for a Loomis Chaffee squad that was ranked in the top five nationally for the entire year. Tasked with marking opponents' top midfielder, he constantly found ways to affect the game, whether that was at the top of the box, between the lines, or on the offensive end, where he's been known to rack up points. He has the innate skill of being able to throw disruptive takeaway checks with his feet moving at full speed, and once the ball is on the ground, he has an elite hands and stick to get the ball off the carpet and move it upfield. Brennan never fails to make his presence felt by sliding with the body, stacking up big hits that help change the momentum of a game. He's even better than he was a year ago, and is the type of of player who should impact Harvard from Day 1.     Drawing comparisons to former Maryland face-off specialist and current Denver Outlaw standout Luke Wierman since last summer, Gouse will be ranked as the No. 1 player at his position when the '26 rankings get updated this fall. It's quite the glow-up for a player who was originally tabbed as a three-star by one publication last September, then given a fourth star days after committing to Maryland. To say that Gouse has a tantalizing skill set at the face-off stripe would almost be putting it lightly. As a junior, he won 73 percent (272-of-375) to go with an incredible 40 goals and 12 assists. Gouse is a really impressive athlete with size, skill, and speedy hands, possessing smooth offensive exits and the ability to fill up a stat sheet as a result of his prowess with the ball in his stick. He's aggressive upon winning the ball to himself, yet doesn't run into trouble often or take many ill-advised shots, so he's intelligent about picking his spots.     In a class that was incredibly light on quarterback types, Mollot's below-the-goal-line skill set jumped off the page a year ago. Since then, he's taken his game to another level, dominating his matchups in the MIAA and against a loaded non-conference schedule for a program that was ranked No. 1 late in the spring. Racking up 29 goals and 36 assists for the Cavaliers, Mollot showed off his relentless compete level, high lacrosse IQ, and fearlessness as a dodger. As elite a feeder as he is, the future Terp has broadened his game and polished his game, expanding his shooting range and showing the ability to dodge from a variety of spots. Always playing bigger than he is and going a million miles an hour, Mollot was stellar in some of Spalding's biggest games. He'll follow in his father's footsteps in College Park, where he'll join a plethora of former MIAA standouts on offense.     Theodorakakos committed to the Black Knights shortly after midnight on July 1 of last year, surely disappointing potential suitors in the Ivy League, ACC, and Big 10. Also a strong football player, the big left-hander always performs with a high level of intensity, but still plays within himself. Physically, he's beyond college-ready and looks like he'd be at home on Army's close defense right now. Theodorakakos, who was named Section V's Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, possesses the proper balance of knowing when to get physical, when to rely on position, and when to throw a fancy takeaway check. On top of that, he's got clean stick work and can be a menace in transition when the opportunity presents itself.

Much has changed since we first released the Top 100 for the Class of 2026 nearly a year ago, as junior year has always been a huge time for player development. After naming 16 five-stars last August, five more players have earned five-star status — get to know them below!