Recruiting Notebook: Updates on MD Unsigned 2026s

Samuels' recruitment has been kept closer to the vest in comparison to most borderline five-star prospects. Nevertheless, over the last few weeks the dynamic 6-foot-5 scoring southpaw recently took an official visit to Alabama. The Tide should be taken seriously in this recruitment, but Georgetown seems like the team to beat for the [program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'] product. Samuels' circle has done a nice job keeping things quiet, but unless Alabama comes in and puts the press on, I'd say Samuels is the Hoyas to lose at this point in time. In today's recruiting landscape, programs can enter a recruiting picture quickly and change things overnight, so that is always on the table with a prospect as highly regarded as Samuels.     Collingwood shot up the national charts after his loud summer with New World on the 3SSB circuit and went from holding 1-2 HM offers to several in the span of a few weeks. The 6-foot-5 swiss army knife can fit a number of different systems, roles, etc., so this recruitment was wide open as he embarked on his official visit tour. He was scheduled to visit Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans last weekend but had to cancel due to illness. There are still plans to reschedule the official to East Lansing, but nothing has been made public up to this point.   Mississippi State and Ohio State have emerged as strong contenders for the Sidwell Friends standout. As Collingwood's recruitment rounds third base, we'll begin to see specific programs separate themselves in how they're prioritizing their time with the pursuit. Right now, the Bulldogs and Buckeyes seem to be the two to watch.     Speaking of the Buckeyes, they'll host Huan this weekend for his official visit. One of the more intriguing centers in the class, the 7-foot lefty gained significant momentum this spring and early summer with his play on the EYBL circuit with [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']. This is another recruitment that hasn't been as publicized as others, but Huan has already taken visits of the official variety to Illinois, Northwestern, and Purdue. It'll be interesting to see if Huan enters decision-making mode after his time at Ohio State.     Lyons announced his commitment to Old Dominion on Sunday while on his official visit over the weekend. Former DeMatha head coach Mike Jones utilized his connections and deep knowledge that he has for the DMV area to dip in and earn the pledge from one of the bigger stock-rising guards this summer. Lyons is a dynamic, crafty on-ball threat who is just scratching the surface of who he can become in the long-term. At Clinton Grace, he shares the backcourt duties with his brother, J'Lon, and is largely featured as an off-ball guard, where he's shown his worth in that sense as well as a spot-up shooter.     Harvey had a strong showing on Saturday at The Challenge as he further proved himself as one of the more underrated scorers in the MIAA. The 6-foot-3 guard comes with good positional size and while he'll need to add mass to his frame in the long term, Harvey's length comes into play when he rises over smaller matchups to get his shot off cleanly. He's getting recruited by a DII program who was in attendance as well as multiple DIII programs such as Randolph-Macon. If I was a DII or DIII staffer, I'd be doing my due diligence with the senior guard, who is primed to put up big numbers for Severn this season.     Rudusans' recruitment has started to heat up a bit since returning to school. A few Patriot League programs stopped in to visit the 6-foot-9 Latvian forward throughout the spring and has locked in an official visit date with Lehigh for Oct. 16-18. Rudusans brings size, floor-spacing, and basketball IQ as a prospect who should thrive in the sort of setting that the Patriot League has to offer. It wouldn't surprise me if he makes a move up a conference or two before his college career is all said and done.     Barrett was a clear standout over the weekend and poses as one of the local prospects who is primed to turn the corner this season. He was often involved with conversations as a guy who has plenty of potential and while that remains the case, he's beginning to turn that potential into consistent production for Archbishop Carroll. Howard took notice and became the first DI program to offer the 6-foot-8 wing. A few other programs are keeping tabs, but the Bison being first could end up benefitting them in the end as they look for the next under the radar DMV prospect to blow up similar to Blake Harper.     Clark established some momentum dating back to June during the scholastic live period with some Patriot League programs. As of now, Navy is the DI who he hears most from while some high-level DIII's such as Colby College, Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham and Randolph Macon continue to pursue the the John Carroll standout. Clark brings size and presence around the rim at both ends, dependable hands, and a skill set that could pay dividends if he's put into a good player development program at the college level.     Expect Thet's ranking to soar when the update releases next Wednesday thank to the body of work that he's put together since the summer. The 6-foot-9 forward now hold two DI offers from the likes of Norfolk State and Siena. Siena's offer came in after his weekend at The Challenge and it wouldn't shock me if a few more came his way before long. There simply aren't too many prospects, especially in the area, that have the size and fluidity that Thet has to offer.