Catching up on the latest college commitments

July is a huge month for potential Division 1 recruits to make an impression during the upcoming live viewing period. For D2 candidates, the recruiting campaign never stops since coaches can watch them at pretty much any time. As a result. we’ve seen five new D2 commitments over the past couple of weeks. That brings the total number of D2 verbals in the Class of 2026 to 15, while there are just 9 players who have said ‘yes’ to Division 1 programs.

The highest-ranked D2 commit is #14 Brielle Janssen Brielle Janssen 6'1" | SF MACCRAY | 2026 State MN of MACCRAY who would most certainly have her choice of Division 1 opportunities had that been her desire. Brielle is headed for MSU-Mankato of the Northern Sun Conference (NSIC) one year from now along with two of her  Minnesota Rise teammates: #18 Brooklyn Lewis Brooklyn Lewis 5'7" | PG New Ulm | 2026 State MN of New Ulm and #23 Brylee Miller Brylee Miller 6'0" | SF Fairmont | 2026 State MN of Fairmont.

Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall has the most in-state commits to date in the Class of 2026 with four: #20 Taleigha Bigler Taleigha Bigler 5'9" | PG Marshall | 2026 State MN of Marshall; #37 Kaia Anderson Kaia Anderson 5'10" | SG Perham | 2026 State MN of Perham; #50 Lily Hubin Lily Hubin 5'9" | SG Buffalo Lake | 2026 State MN of Buffalo Lake-Hector-Stewart; and #52 Elly Herickhoff Elly Herickhoff 6'2" | PF Sauk Centre | 2026 State MN of Sauk Centre. The University of Minnesota-Crookston has had three players verbal so far: #51 Lexi Mahlen Lexi Mahlen 5'11" | SF Fosston | 2026 State MN of Fosston, #63 Lexi Lamppa Lexi Lamppa 5'7" | CG Rock Ridge | 2026 State MN of Rock Ridge and #71 Cairin Berger Cairin Berger 5'9" | SF/PG Duluth Marshall | 2026 State MN of Duluth Marshall.

To see the complete list of commits, go to the 2026 rankings page. Every player who has verballed has a college logo with their name. Here are the details on the five newest signees.

Chloe Carlson Chloe Carlson 5'9" | CG Proctor | 2026 State MN – guard, Proctor

Ranked #24 in the Class of 2026, we have considered Carlson as a D1/D2 bubble player – the kind of athlete whose skills and abilities can take them to the highest level given the opportunity. Now Chloe has made her choice, opting for D2 University of Mary in Bismarck, ND. The Minnesota Suns guard had an outstanding summer in 2024 and has duplicated that level of performance in 2025. In between she had a really good high school season for the 26-4 Rails, leading her team in points per game (17.7), rebounds (5.5) and steals (3.9) while finishing second in assists (2.9). Every game Carlson is all-in, delivering energy and effort at both ends of the floor, consistent offensive productivity, big plays in big moments and an array of intangibles.

Sophia Anderson Sophia Anderson 6'0" | SG/CG Maple Grove | 2026 State MN – guard, Maple Grove

We think Anderson is one of the most underappreciated players in the Class of 2026, largely because she has been playing behind a big-time starting lineup at Maple Grove that included two D1 and three D2 commits. With four of those five players having graduated, Crimson fans are about to find out just how much Sophia is capable of. We’ve been watching the 6-footer do excellent work in AAU for Minnesota Stars Nilsen for several seasons, where she has demonstrated her collegiate potential on a regular basis. Last summer that level of performance made Sophia one of our biggest stock risers in the class. Like Carlson, we have considered Anderson as a D1/D2 bubble player at #33. Last week she committed to D2 Augustana University in Sioux Falls.

Abby Ruda Abby Ruda 6'1" | PF Monticello | 2026 State MN & Addison Ruda Addison Ruda 6'1" | SF Monticello | 2026 State MN – forwards, Monticello

Size sells and the Ruda twins have plenty of it. Interest has been strong in Abby and Addison, a pair of 6’1 forwards whose development over the past 18 months has been impressive. The twins were first ranked in the fall of 2023 in the mid-80s and have steadily worked their way up. Their skills have improved, their bodies have become stronger, and their understanding of how to impact the game has grown. Currently ranked #38, Abby averaged nearly 12 points and over 7 rebounds a game for the Magic last winter. After averaging 7.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, the 59th-ranked Addison’s game has expanded this summer under the tutelage of coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer at North Tartan EYCL. After weighing several offers from Northern Sun Conference programs, the Rudas committed last week to Concordia-St. Paul.

Sophia Perry Sophia Perry 5'10" | SG Lakeville North | 2026 State MN – guard, Lakeville North

Much like Anderson’s situation, it took Perry some time to earn a regular spot in the Panthers lineup where there never seems to be a shortage of talent and competition for playing time is always a challenge. It was only a matter of time before Perry became the impact varsity performer she is today. We’ve been high on Sophia from the beginning. She made the Freshmen 50 in the fall of 2022 and has remained in the #35-40 range ever since. The 5’10 guard from the Metro Stars is a versatile competitor with length, athleticism and a well-rounded game. Her size, speed and ability to guard multiple positions should translate well to the next level. Perry committed last week to the University of Jamestown in North Dakota, which joins the NSIC this fall.

Cairin Berger Cairin Berger 5'9" | SF/PG Duluth Marshall | 2026 State MN – guard, Duluth Marshall

Berger began her high school career at Esko where she got off to a great start but operated in relative anonymity. After transferring to Marshall where Chloe Johnson Chloe Johnson 6'0" | PG Duluth Marshall | 2028 State MN (pictured above left) draws an awful lot of eyeballs, Berger’s game has flourished and her profile has been elevated. Cairin, who plays AAU ball for Minnesota Starks , was second to Johnson in scoring last winter at 13.3 points per game along with 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 4.1 steals. She plays with toughness, grit and notable confidence. Combined with nice length and plenty of strength, that makes her an effective athlete at both ends of the floor. All of that has earned the top 75 prospect a Division 2 opportunity at the University of Minnesota-Crookston.