Final 2026 Rankings: Gilmore, Novak, Rooney Earn 5th Star (FREE)
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The Class of 2026 stands out for many reasons, one of which is the sheer volume of movement throughout the rankings since the first edition two years ago — 10 players who began the cycle as four or three-stars earned five-star status. Three of those players started outside the Top 50 and earned a fifth star in the final edition of our rankings, released Thursday night in Top 200 form. Today, we take a closer look at what put them over the edge in our final evaluation process.
ICYMI, as part of Thursday's release, we listed the other five-stars who joined the fray last fall and summer, as well as several other big movers (free and unlocked). If you have yet to subscribe to Prep Lacrosse and want access to the full Top 200 and analysis, use the code 'TY30' for 30 percent off your annual or two-year payment at checkout.
Making a meteoric rise from outside the Top 100, I've been a big Gilmore fan for a while now, dating back to when he was coming up as a Boston U. commit before flipping to Richmond in the weeks leading up to his junior season. We wrote him up after his two-goal, one-assist outing in PVI's season-opening win over IMG Academy, which showed signs of big things to come. Gilmore certainly delivered for the eventual WCAC champs, posting a whopping stat line of 56 goals and 30 assists out of the midfield, along with countless groundballs and caused turnovers. A phenomenal athlete, fiery competitor, and two-way playmaker, he dodges like he's shot out of a cannon and was one of the more unguardable players in the Mid-Atlantic, serving as a party-starter up top for a high-octane Panther offense. He's got a wide array of ways to make his man miss and is a powerful jump shooter and gunslinger on the run, in addition to being a gifted and creative passer out of his dodges. To reiterate what we wrote after the Panthers' conference championship and compare him to some fellow Spiders, there are shades of both Charlie Packard and Joe Sheridan in his game, but with an extra dose of caffeine.
Highlights
There's no reason to question Notre Dame's ability to evaluate and project defensive recruits, as the results speak for themselves. When he first emerged as a rising junior after starting for Malvern as a sophomore, Novak was a 6-foot-4 lump of clay with immense upside. Built like a Power 4 football player, he initially battled inconsistency, particularly when matched up against smaller, quicker attackmen, but his footwork, off-ball acumen, and overall confidence improved dramatically over time. After making significant strides as a junior, Novak erased just about everyone in his path as a senior, doing so against one of the toughest schedules in the country. As a result, Novak was named Inter-Ac Player of the Year and US Lacrosse Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year, having compiled 74 groundballs and 25 takeaways for a defense that allowed a shade over six goals per game. He projects as a multi-year starter for the Fighting Irish; however, with all but one starter on the defense returning in 2027, Novak will likely rotate in as the fourth close defender or second LSM.
Highlights
Given his rapid year-over-year development into one of the nation's most dangerous offensive weapons, Rooney was already on track for a lofty finish in the rankings entering 2026. Then came a dominant senior campaign that cemented his status. Rooney was the lone All-American in the NSCHSAA and earned Newsday's Player of the Year honors in a league that featured five other five-stars in the Class of 2026. The son of a coach, Rooney is not only one of the smartest players in the class, but also one of its most dynamic. Despite battling a groin injury early in the season, he finished with 29 goals and 34 assists while leading St. Anthony's to his third league championship and the program's seventh straight. Rooney didn't just produce — he did so against one of the nation's toughest schedules and consistently delivered in the biggest moments, including a hat trick in a 13-12 championship victory over archrival Chaminade. A tremendously gifted shooter, Rooney creates offense by beating defenders off the dodge while also possessing the vision and feel to elevate those around him. As he heads to College Park alongside three of his St. Anthony's teammates, he'll likely begin his career in the midfield, though his playmaking ability could make it difficult to keep him off the starting attack unit as his career with the Terps progresses.
