On Second Thought: Late Flips From 2026s

With NLI signing day this week, I thought today would be a good time to review five Class of 2026 prospects who recently “flipped” their verbal commitment to a different Division-I lacrosse program.    Flipped from Colgate to Virginia...   Baxter's flip from Colgate to Virginia adds an extraordinary dual threat LSM to the Cav's 2026 recruiting class. This Brunswick School phenom excels at pursuing ball carriers out on the perimeter. When the moment is right, Baxter is famous for executing Instagram worthy yard sales, over heads and can openers that cause turnovers. Once the ball is on the turf, Baxter will use his quick reactions and crafty stick skills to secure possession. With his speed and nifty stick maneuvers Baxter really shines in transition. He is threat to go coast to coast and fire a rocket into the back of the net or distribute to an open teammate. Baxter has also shown that he can execute give-n-go action on the fast break. Baxter is plus wing player on face offs too.     Flipped from Virginia to Maryland...   This athletic, fast, and relentless pole is one of the highest profile flips of the fall. So, saying that Maryland has added a stud to its 2026 recruiting class in an understatement. Bramoff is a dominating force on the lacrosse field. He is an elite LSM as well as close defender and excels on the wing during face offs. Bramoff causes turnovers all day and is a ground ball machine. Additionally, he owns the discipline and agility to lock off an opposing team's No. 1 option for an entire game. His high IQ and stick skills make him a plus player in the clearing game. Bramoff's offensive skills are ridiculous too. He will not hesitate to carry the ball out of the defensive zone, then weave through the opposing team until he finds open space to unleash a missile. As a bonus to his skills, Bramoff owns all the intangibles college coaches love.     Flipped from Virginia to Princeton...   Gilbane could be a program defining addition by the Princeton coaching staff. During his highly decorated junior campaign, Gilbane registered 53 goals to go along with 37 assists as he pushed N&G to their second consecutive ISL championship. Gilbane is a speedy and aggressive offensive prospect with elite stick skills. His ability to play with both hands really separates him from other attackmen in the Class of 2026. Gilbane's explosive first step and cut back abilities make him impossible to defend 1v1. Gilbane's solid frame enables him to run through significant contact on his charges to the net. He owns filthy shooting skills and can find the back on the net from multiple angles while on the run or via step downs.     Flipped from Richmond to Bucknell...   By adding Manning to their 2026 recruiting class, Bucknell is bringing in one of the most unique face-off specialists in the country. Manning is an athletic and agile prospect who can dominate at the dot by winning clamps cleanly or by mucking it up and then emerging from the scrum with possession. His polished footwork and ability to vary his strategies are extremely impressive. Still, what the Bucknell staff will really love about Manning is his ability to stay on the field during 6v6 possessions. Manning's high lacrosse IQ, filthy stick skills and quick burst enable him to make positive contributions during settled action. His ability to crank step downs or sidearms on the run is highly underrated.     Flipped from Georgetown to North Carolina...   Orcutt is a two-way mid with size, speed, and polished skills. Last season Orcutt tallied 30 goals and was named as a 1st Team All-State, All-Delco and All-Inter-Ac selection. Orcutt thrives in transition where his solid build and football pedigree (standout WR & DB) enable him to run through significant contact as he dashes into the offensive end. His ability to execute a swim dodge or simply change direction at full speed is impressive. When Orcutt is on the run, he can ping corners and fire bounces past the goalie or draw the defender and then move the ball to the open teammate. In settled action Orcutt is an initiator who plays with poise and a high IQ. As a bonus to his offensive sills, Orcutt can hustle back and play SSDM at a high level.

With NLI signing day this week, I thought today would be a good time to review five Class of 2026 prospects who recently “flipped” their verbal commitment to a different Division-I lacrosse program.