2028 Commits. Here’s What July 15 Means for Everyone Else

<a href="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/" id="https://prepdig.com/subscribe/">This article was shared with 150+ college coaches. Join PrepDig with 30% off using code: Coachable247</a>   For years, these athletes have worked toward a moment that finally arrives for many members of the Class of 2028 during the summer before their junior year: a verbal commitment.   The calls, the visits, the conversations with coaches, and the uncertainty that comes with recruiting begin to settle. Family members celebrate. Teammates send messages. Social media fills with commitment graphics.   It is an incredible accomplishment.   For some families, that moment represents years of early mornings, long drives, private lessons, and difficult decisions. For athletes, it is validation that the work mattered and that a college program believes in what they can become.   But once the excitement fades, something important happens.   The question is no longer, “How do I get recruited?”   The question becomes, “How do I prepare to succeed when I get there?”   At the same time, thousands of athletes will will open Instagram and see classmates and competitors sharing college graphics, and many will quietly begin asking themselves where they stand.   The answer, in most cases, is exactly where they should be.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Congratulations 2028 Commits: In Their Own Words</h2>    <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> </blockquote>   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> I'm so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my volleyball career at the University of Nebraska!   First, I want to thank my family. Mom and Dad, thank you for your endless support and for always pushing me to grow, not only as a volleyball player but as a person. To my brother and sister, thank you for being such great role models and showing me what hard work and dedication look like every day.   I also want to thank all of the amazing coaches at Tstreet Volleyball Club who have helped shape me into the player and person I am today. A special thank you to Andy Hein for believing in me throughout my club career and always supporting me both on and off the court.   To all of my teammates, thank you for making me love this game even more. I'm so grateful for all the memories, friendships, and experiences we've shared together.   Another thank you to my physical therapist and trainer, Dr. Kyle Jordan Olandt, for contributing to my growth. I greatly appreciate you.   I also want to thank my high school coach, Cassie Strickland, who has become such an important part of my life, both in volleyball and outside of it. Your support has meant so much to me.   Lastly, thank you to the coaching staff at Nebraska, Dani, Jaylen, Kelly, and Brennan, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of such an incredible program.   Go Big Red!! 🌽❤️ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/gbr/?hl=en">#GBR</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/committed/?hl=en">#committed</a> </blockquote>     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> I'm so incredibly blessed to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and volleyball journey at Auburn University. Above all I want to give thanks to God for giving me the ability physically and the passion to play the sport I love. I am so blessed to have this amazing opportunity. I want to start by thanking my parents who have sacrificed so much for me and have been my biggest supporters. Thank you to my dad who has been a role model in the weight room and pushed me to be a stronger version of myself, my mom mom who has spent countless hours driving me to practice and cheering me on, my grandparents for their support, and to my twin sisters Autumn and Makayla for always having someone to practice at home with. I also want to thank my teammates and friends who I love so much. Thank you WAVE volleyball, especially coach Brennan, Scott, Matt, and Mike who have helped develop me as an athlete and person indoor and on the sand. Thank you coach Scott for the countless hours working with me to get extra reps and watching film to develop my game, which I will forever be grateful for. Finally, a huge thank you to coach Crouch, Burton, Sunder, and Markovska <a href="https://www.instagram.com/auburnvolleyball/?hl=en">@auburnvolleyball</a> for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. Beyond exited to be a Tiger and a part of the Auburn family! WAR EAGLE!!!! </blockquote>     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> I'm beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue both my athletic and academic journey at Indiana University, where I'll be playing indoor volleyball!   First, I want to thank my family for every ounce of support, sacrifice, and love they've given me my whole career. To my mom and dad thank you for every special opportunity you've provided for me and allowing me to pursue my dreams and turn them into a reality. To my sisters thank you for being the absolute best role models and showing me what true determination and dedication looks like. And to my whole family thank you, for believing in me for every early morning, late night, all the blood, all the sweat and all the tears.   To my Tstreet family, thank you for every minute and second you've invested in me from the very beginning. You have been there for me since I put my first pair of volleyball shoes on, helping me develop and grow as a player and person. I truly am the person I am today because of this club and the unforgettable memories I've made along the way.   Another huge thank you to the entire Tanner family, Ryan Redira, Andy Hein, Chandler Gibb, Holly Toliver, Chris Vu, Newport Harbor Volleyball, and every other coach, player, and program who have supported me every step of the way towards my goals! Your belief in me means the world!   Finally, the biggest thank you to Coach Steve, Coach Rachel, Coach Kevin, Coach Matt and the entire Indiana University staff for all the belief and trust you have shown me. I am endlessly grateful for the opportunity and honored to continue my volleyball career at a place that already feels like home.   GO HOOSIERS! ♥️♥️ </blockquote>     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to the application process at Stanford University to continue my academic and athletic career playing indoor volleyball!   First, I want to thank God for giving me the strength and support to guide me on my path. To my parents: thank you for your unconditional love and support throughout my entire volleyball journey. You have both always been there for me, cheering me on and encouraging me to strive for excellence.   To my coaches at Wave Volleyball, I could never have gotten here without you. Thank you to Coach Brennan for always believing in me and pushing me to be better; Coach Scott for being such a great coach, recruiting coordinator, and role model; Coach Mike for being the most amazing beach coach I know; and Coach Matt for being by my side and helping me throughout this process.   Finally, a huge thank you to Coach Hambly, Coach Corbelli, Coach Johnson, and Coach Bower for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to make my dream a reality.   GO CARD! 🌲❤️ </blockquote>     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> I am so incredibly excited to announce my commitment to the admissions process at Stanford University to pursue my academic and athletic career!!   To start, I want to thank my parents and my sister, Madison, for always believing in me and supporting me throughout this journey. None of this would be possible without your sacrifices, encouragement, and love.   I want to also thank <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vision.vbc/?hl=en">@vision.vbc</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mittyvolleyball/?hl=en">@mittyvolleyball</a>, and all of my coaches from the past seven years for giving me the best volleyball family ever.   To all of my teammates, thank you for being some of the most important, supportive, and loving people in my life. I am so grateful for all of the memories we have shared along the way.   And finally, thank you Coach Kevin and the rest of the coaching staff for this incredible opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing volleyball at Stanford. I am beyond grateful and cannot wait for what's ahead.   Go Card!! ❤️🌲 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stanfordwvb/?hl=en">@stanfordwvb</a> </blockquote>     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> I am BEYOND grateful and SOOO stoked to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career playing Division 1 volleyball at the University of Hawai'i!!!! 🤙🤙🌺🌺   First, I want to give huge thanks to my biggest support system. Thank you Mom, Dad, Reese, Jameson, teammates and friends for always believing in me and supporting me through the ups and downs of this process. I couldn't have done it without you!!!   Thank you to my Tstreet coaches Bailey, Ryan, Holly, Brian, and Andy for all of your support! BIG thank you to Chandler Gibb for helping me love the game again! HUGE thank you to my Mizuno Long Beach coaches Joy, Lance, Libby, Tawnee, Lindsey, Alec, Fia, Lyanna, Anthony, Kiera, Annie, and Omi for providing me with a solid volleyball foundation, work ethic, and love for the sport!! Thank you to Chris Vu at Training Matrix for your amazing advice, training, and loving support that helps me reach higher levels everyday! Thank you to my Mater Dei coaches Dan, Crystal, Ashley, and Diana, for having faith in me. Thank you to Nicole at Mira Costa for always cheering me on no matter what! Also, thank you to Nancy at South Bay Sand for your constant support! SPECIAL thank you to Tiff for all the unwavering love, support, and training over the last 8 years and counting!!   Also, big thank you to Jessie, Susan, and Nicki for all your dedicated work towards helping me reach my goals!!   Finally, I want to especially thank Coach Josh for this incredible opportunity to be a part of something so special and storied as the University of Hawai'i Volleyball Program!! I'm so excited to be a Rainbow Wahine, GO BOWS!!!🌈🌈🌈 </blockquote>     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> I'm very excited to announce my verbal commitment to play Division 1 Volleyball and pursue my academics at Georgia Tech! 🐝💝   Thank you to my Family, my Club and High School Coaches Kim, Al, Katie, Jane, Hugo, and Tori, my recruiting coordinator Tom Amberg, my strength coach Gina, my trainers Ruth Lawanson, and Chris P. Austin. So excited to join my future coaches at Georgia Tech, Coach Collier, Baigan, and Pinheiro!   Thank you to everyone who believed in me and my journey!   <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/stingem/?hl=en">#StingEm</a> 😌🌼 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/pointtech/?hl=en">#PointTech</a> 🐝🐝 <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/welcometoatlanta/?hl=en">#WelcometoAtlanta</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/atl/?hl=en">#ATL</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/volleyballlife/?hl=en">#Volleyballlife</a> </blockquote>     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"> I am incredibly excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career playing Division I volleyball at Pepperdine University!   First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the passion for this sport and all the amazing blessings that playing has given me.   To my parents, my grandparents, my brother and the rest of my family, thank you for the endless sacrifices, the constant encouragement, and for always being my biggest support system. You have been there through every single high and low, and I am so grateful for everything you've done to help me reach my dreams.   I also want to express my deepest gratitude to Absolute Volleyball Club and all my coaches for investing in me, challenging me, and shaping me into the athlete I am today. To my teammates, thank you for being the best teammates and for always being there for me and for each other. Thanks also to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hey.susank/?hl=en">@hey.susank</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/volleyballlessons/?hl=en">@volleyballlessons</a> for all your support and guidance.   Lastly, I want to give a huge thank you to the coaching staff at Pepperdine. Coach Wong, Coach Wexter, and Coach Rust, thank you for believing in my potential and giving me this amazing opportunity to join the Waves family. I am so honored to be a part of this program and cannot wait to get to Malibu! 🧡💙🌊 </blockquote>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">For the Athletes Who Commit: You're No Longer Preparing to Get Recruited</h2>   For years, every camp, tournament, and practice may have felt like an audition. That mindset changes after a commitment.   Now, the goal is not simply to earn attention. The goal is to arrive on campus ready to compete.   The strongest recruits understand that a commitment is not permission to relax. In many ways, it raises the standard.   College coaches did not offer because they believe your development is complete. They offered because they believe in who you can become over the next several years. The athletes who make the biggest impact at the next level are usually the ones who continue approaching every season as an opportunity to improve.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reach Out to Your Future Program</h2>   The recruiting process may be over, but the relationship with your future coaches and teammates is just beginning.   Ask questions. Learn the expectations. Find out what your coaches want you working on before you arrive.   The athletes who transition most smoothly into college volleyball often begin building those connections long before move-in day. They understand the culture they are joining, communicate consistently, and take ownership of their development.   A commitment secures a roster spot. It does not guarantee playing time, leadership opportunities, or success once you arrive on campus.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Train Like You're Already Part of the Team</h2>   Use the next two years to get stronger, faster, and more complete as a player.   Keep chasing growth.   Continue competing in difficult environments. Seek honest feedback. Develop the physical and mental habits that college volleyball will require.   The athletes who continue improving after they commit are often the same athletes who are prepared to contribute when they step into a college gym for the first time.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Become a Student of Your Future Team</h2>   Watch matches. Learn the system. Pay attention to the culture.   How does your future program communicate? What does success look like there? What separates the athletes who earn playing time?   Study the details that may not show up in a box score. Watch how players respond after mistakes, how teammates interact with one another, and how coaches communicate expectations.   The more familiar you become with your future program, the easier the transition will be.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Build Relationships Before You Arrive</h2>   Your future teammates will become part of your daily life.   Start introducing yourself. Support the program. Celebrate their successes.   College volleyball is built on relationships, and the athletes who adapt most quickly are often the ones who begin building trust before they ever set foot on campus.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">For the Athletes Still Waiting...</h2>   Every year, social media creates the impression that recruiting happens all at once.   Commitment graphics appear one after another, and athletes naturally begin comparing timelines. Families wonder whether opportunities are disappearing. Club coaches field questions from players who suddenly feel behind.   The reality is much different.   Programs recruit differently. Some coaching staffs move quickly, while others continue evaluating athletes throughout the high school season, club season, showcases, camps, and national tournaments. Recruiting boards shift as rosters evolve, athletes develop, and programs reassess their needs.   The athletes who continue investing in their growth are often the ones who create opportunities for themselves long after the first wave of commitments has passed.   That growth can take many forms. It may come from a standout high school season, a stronger club campaign, improved physicality, or simply becoming more consistent in pressure situations. It may come from earning Recruitable Credentials, updating film, attending <a href="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase" type="link" id="https://prepdig.com/all-events/?type=Showcase">showcases</a>, or using tools like Eval Blocks and player profiles to tell a more complete story.   The recruiting process has never been about who commits first. It has always been about finding the right fit.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">For Parents: Keep the Long View</h2>   This can be one of the most emotional stretches of the recruiting process.   Parents celebrate friends' commitments while privately wondering what the future holds for their own athlete. It is easy to compare offers, schools, timelines, and social media announcements, but those comparisons rarely tell the whole story.   Every recruiting journey is different because every athlete is different.   Some athletes are physically mature as sophomores. Others make tremendous strides as juniors and seniors. Some programs recruit a position early, while others wait to evaluate another season of film.   The most valuable thing parents can provide during this period is perspective. Continue supporting your athlete, continue asking good questions, and continue emphasizing development over comparison.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">How PrepDig Fits Into the Next Chapter</h2>   For committed athletes, this is an opportunity to continue documenting your growth. Keep updating your profile, continue earning evaluations, and use the next two years to prepare for the level you have committed to play.   For uncommitted athletes, visibility matters.   Continue attending events. Continue building relationships with coaches. Continue updating your film and player profile. Continue using the resources available to help coaches understand not only what you are today, but what you may become.   One of the most important lessons in recruiting is that timelines vary. Every year, college programs identify athletes who were not originally on their radar. Every year, players take significant steps forward. Every year, opportunities emerge that did not exist in July.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">If You Enjoyed This Article, Help Us Keep the Momentum Going</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 Athletes</h3>   Whether June 15 brought a commitment announcement or simply another season of work, your journey is still unfolding. Take time to explore the player profiles featured in this article. Read their evaluations, study their accomplishments, and pay attention to how they present themselves to coaches.   If you have already committed, continue building the habits that will prepare you for the next level. If your recruiting process is still ongoing, use these profiles as a resource rather than a comparison. Keep developing your game, earning Recruitable Credentials, and building a profile that reflects your growth as both an athlete and a teammate.   📣 Club Coaches & Directors   Celebrate the athletes from your program who reached this milestone while continuing to support those whose recruiting journeys are still taking shape. Commitment season is an opportunity to remind athletes that recruiting timelines vary and that development remains the most important part of the process.   Share this article with your teams and continue creating environments where athletes can grow, compete, and prepare for whatever comes next.   🎯 College Coaches   The athletes featured in this article represent just one chapter in the Class of 2028 recruiting cycle.   PrepDig remains committed to helping coaches discover not only who athletes are today, but who they may become tomorrow.   🙏 Parents & Supporters   Thank you for every early morning, every tournament weekend, and every sacrifice that made these moments possible. Whether your athlete celebrated a commitment this week or is still working toward that goal, your support continues to shape their experience in the sport.   Use this article as an opportunity to talk about preparation, growth, and the reality that every recruiting journey follows its own timeline. The most meaningful milestones are often built through years of steady progress.   🚀 <a href="https://prepdig.com/my-account/subscriptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upgrade to a PrepDig+ Subscription</a> Access exclusive rankings, deeper analysis, and the full Prospect Index to follow every athlete's journey.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prepdig.com/recruiting-resources/"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/07/image_3e909a.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1003951"/></a></figure>   Thank you for making today's wins matter — one article, one player, one memory at a time.   ~ Michelle Bamford @Coachable247

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