The Prospect Report: June 16th PM Edition

News and Insider Info from the World of Recruiting

As expected today’s Pitt Select Camp was Elite with talent.  Look for Monday to be a BIG day for Panther Volleyball.  Could be multiple verbals coming.

Nittany Lions off to a great start:

Penn State picked up a big commit on Sunday locking up Danielle Whitmire.  Look for Penn State to add to the class early this week and give Whitmire some weapons.

This will almost surpass the PSU 2025 class in the first three days of recruiting.

What does DiVita Commit Mean?

Gabby DiVita's verbal to Nebraska probably brought more tfic to my phone than any other move on Sunday.  She is a great player, but it was surprising for a couple of reasons.  One of the OHs at Nebraska looks to be incredibly deep once this class finishes.  Look at who signed in 2025 (arguably #1 OH in America) and in 2024 (arguably #1 OH in America) and it’s a competitive room.  Plus Nebraska is NOT DONE in this class, they will grab one of the Big 3 OH’s that are left (Watson, Anderson, Robinson).  That is why DiVita to Nebraska was surprising.  I know that her role model is Skylar Murray and maybe the chance to play with her for a year was the deciding factor, but multiple Top 20 programs were offering the Legacy OH that offered a much easier path to court time than Nebraska.  Regardless, it’s an embarrassment of riches for the Huskers.

Mallory Matheny is taking her recruiting seriously.  We have really enjoyed communicating and following the Mintonette Setter as she continues recruiting.  Matheny went to over 5 camps last week while prepping for nationals with her club team.  We contacted her today and asked how the camp circuit has been. “Camps have been great because you get an overall feel for each school.  Whatever feels like home is home.”  We also asked what was her June 15th like (she was on the road to the Pitt camp today) “I took 10 calls yesterday, but have taken 11 total.”  Matheny is doing her homework and getting a feel for what’s out there before she decides on a school.

Is It Fair?

Texas completed its 2026 class in 34 hours and then Nebraska signed a Top 25 prospect as its #2 OH when about 150 programs would have killed to have her as a #1 recruit in their entire class.  I talked with a couple of coaches and asked them how the deal with this every year and if it upsets them.  (Coach in a Top 8 Program) “It’s the way it is right now.  It’s like this every year.  You kind of let them pick who they are going to take and then everyone else fights for everyone else.  Whether it’s fair or not is really a dumb question, because it’s reality, kids are just going to go there without thinking.  Our philosophy is that there are MANY very good prospects out there and they can’t sign them all.  We just have to do a very good job of evaluating talent and then we have to do a better job of developing that talent than they do.”

Day 2 Surprise:

Gigi Artilles to Georgia.  The Tribe OH made a quick decision and committed to Georgia.  I think this was very surprising to many, but a great commit for the Dawgs who inked their third commit of the weekend.  She could be an immediate impact in Athens.

Do pipelines exist between clubs and college programs?

It sure seems like we see some big programs go back to certain clubs over and over for top players. Nothing wrong with that, just wondering if that is always players choice or because of the relationship with the club?

USC to attack for Power Hitting OH.  Despite getting Layli Ostovar watch for USC to be in on (and land) on of the top OH’s in this class.

Marquette with two early commits.  Combine this with the Indiana de-commit last week and they have had a great start to 2026.

Creighton jump starts with two under-the-radar stars……The Blue Jays acted quickly landing MN Setter Rayna Christanson (on 10-15 short lists) and an IA OH soon to announce that is as under the radar as they come.  Maybe my favorite kid in the entire class.

More to come this week.

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