Northeast Highlight: Predictions for uncommitted prospects

Despite the fact that a lot of the high prospects within the Northeast are already dedicated there are nonetheless some massive names ready to make their pledges. We have a look at a few of these gamers together with some elite 2026 prospects on this four-pack of dedication predictions within the Northeast area.

It’s unclear what Johnson’s dedication timeline seems like, however with the early signing interval only a few months away, Virginia Tech appears to be in a great place right here.

Sources verify to Rivals that Johnson remains to be anyone the Hokies are pursuing, and he took an official go to to Blacksburg in June. The in-state prospect out of Highland Springs Excessive College additionally has a powerful household connection to this system, as his father, Loren Johnson, performed for Virginia Tech within the Nineties, and his brother, Braylon Johnson, presently performs cornerback for the Hokies.

The three-star outdoors linebacker additionally took an official go to to Maryland in June, and has round 15 scholarship affords in complete, however as of proper now, Virginia Tech appears to be within the driver’s seat.

Prediction: Virginia Tech

This one could also be a little bit too early to make a prediction, however in calling my shot, I get the sense that Elee may be very excessive on Oregon proper now. Final month, in talking with Elee about his high 5 colleges — which additionally consists of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Penn State — his pleasure and fervour for the Geese was simple to acknowledge.

He took a visit to Eugene in late July and feels a powerful connection to defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Tosh Lupoi and defensive graduate assistant Kamran Araghi. He believes the coaches are genuine and that’s the type of employees he desires to encompass himself with.

With that mentioned, there’s nonetheless doubtless an extended method to go on this recruitment, and every of his 5 finalists have a powerful probability of touchdown a dedication from Elee. One thing necessary to Elee in the case of discovering a program is a powerful file of creating edge rushers, which is one thing that every one of his top-five colleges boast. Preserve an in depth eye on Ohio State and affiliate head coach/line of defense coach Larry Johnson in that regard, although. Nonetheless, Oregon appears to have the higher hand as issues presently stand.

Prediction: Oregon

Hiter, the No. 1 operating again prospect within the 2026 Rivals250, not too long ago broke down his finalists with Rivals. His high 5 consists of Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee. However the present intel means that the Wolverines might presently be the staff to beat.

He was again in Ann Arbor for a late-July go to. A robust relationship with Michigan operating backs coach Tony Alford and the long run imaginative and prescient that the Wolverines have for him within the offense are issues that stand out to Hiter. The four-star operating again has additionally talked about that Alford has already giving him tips on how he can enhance his sport now.

Nonetheless, Hiter’s 5 finalists will every have an opportunity to win him over. Georgia is probably going the largest risk to Michigan proper now, and Hiter was in Athens for a camp and go to in June. He likes his slot in Georgia’s offense and is nicely conscious of the Bulldogs’ potential to develop operating backs.

Hiter hopes to take visits to his three different finalists — Ohio State, Penn State and Tennessee — this fall and isn’t any rush to make a closing determination simply but.

Prediction: Michigan

There’s nothing imminent right here, as Merrill presently plans to take official visits subsequent summer time earlier than making a dedication and that may be a methods out. However the No. 2 guard within the Rivals250 has visited Notre Dame a number of occasions, together with in late July, and the chatter is that there’s a stable probability he might finally find yourself in South Bend.

Merrill additionally visited Wisconsin in June and Michigan in late July, and has been a frequent customer to Penn State. He’s figuring out his fall go to schedule, after which plans to chop down his colleges record a while after his junior season at Cumberland Valley Excessive College (Mechanicsburg, Pa.). One factor I anticipate for sure is for Notre Dame to make that record.

Once more, it is early, and so much can change earlier than he makes his determination in 2025, however as of now, the Preventing Irish look like in a great place and it’s at all times potential his timeline will get moved up.

Prediction: Notre Dame