6 NCAA Programs with Smoke Heading into the 2026 Recruiting Season

NCAA Programs With Some Smoke Heading into 2026 Recruiting Season

Here are some programs with some definite “Program Momentum” that they hope will make a positive impact when it comes to recruiting battles vs. other schools for 2026 Prospects.

Arizona State:

Not sure any team had more of a turnaround than ASU.  1st HC J.J. Van Neil and the squad had a memorable 2023 season, Arizona State went 28-7 under first-year head coach JJ Van Niel. He was named the AVCA Pacific South Region and Pac-12 Coach of the Year for his efforts. The Sun Devils reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015, They advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tourney for the first time and had the most season W’s in program history.  The heat is needed as the Sun Devils look for a large 2026 class and would love to make inroads with some of the Phoenix Area talent in this class.

Indiana:

Indiana volleyball head coach Steve Aird completed his sixth year in Bloomington in 2023, helping lead the Hoosiers to one of the best seasons in program history. He signed a contract extension through the 2029 season on Jan. 1, 2024.  The talent has steadily increased for the Hoosiers and so has attendance.  They broke single-season and single-match attendance records in 2023.  They are in a talent-rich part of the country and their 2025 class may be their best ever.  Combining back-to-back Top 20 recruiting classes would go a long way toward securing future success for the Hoosiers in the nation’s top volleyball conference.

Arkansas:

The Cinderella Story of last year’s NCAA Tourney Jason Watson and his Razorbacks was the feel-good story.  Co-SEC Champs and a run to the Elite 8, plus 2 All-Americans (Taylor Head) and (Jill Gillen) who gave every OH under 6’ tall reason to believe they too can play big-time volleyball.  They have staff stability and momentum.  With powerhouse Texas coming to the SEC Arkansas fans are hoping last December leads to bigger recruits in the 2026 class.

Creighton:

The Blue Jays may be the best program you don't think about right away. They have one of the top home-court advantages (D.J. Sokol Arena) in American an established Head Coach with proven success (Kirsten Bernthal Booth 21 years as HC) and a consistent resume of NCAA tourney play.  The Blue Jays got back to the Sweet 16 last season and have dominated the Big East winning the past 10 championships.  They are also in the “State of Volleyball” Nebraska.  Creighton puts together solid classes with regional talent and had another one with their 2025s.  They play in marquee matches and are always in the running for some Top 20 prospects.  The fanbase hopes 2026 is the year they land one or two and sets the program up for a future of late December play.

Texas A+M:

Everything seems to be set up for the Aggies to make a push.  First-year HC Jaime Morrison and staff led A+M back to the NCAA tourney and nearly knocked off eventual national champs Texas in the best opening-round match of the tourney.  The Aggies have resources, they have the deepest recruiting base right in their back yard and they have a decorated, veteran coaching staff.  Having their bitter rivals (Texas) in the SEC will add to the importance of Texas A+M to add as much talent as possible so they can heat up that rivalry shortly.  The staff is landing at the Top 10 class of 2025s and missed out on a couple of even bigger prospects.  They have the benefit of having national recruiting connections and the talent of local Texas prepsters who want to stay home.  It just feels like a big 2026 class and a brighter future in College Station.

Pittsburgh:

No one wants to consider the Panthers a Top 5 program and as they like to say “We just keep showing up”.  Coach Fischer and his staff have had momentum for a few years now, but they are starting to get top prospects they never did before.  First the on-court success: 3 consecutive Final Fours, 4 consecutive Elite Eights, and the most Ws of any Power Conference program in the past 6 seasons.  Now the talent ie Freshman All-Americans Olivia Babcock and Torrey Stafford made the 2023 Class the best in Pitt history.  Combine that with a solid 2024 class and their young talent level is as high as Fisch has ever had.  They were in on some big names in 2025 that they just missed.  With the on-court success, the Panthers are bound to land more highly-ranked talent in 2026.

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