Class of 2026 New Commit: Owen James (MD/PA: Perkiomen School) Defense, flip from Navy (9/1/25)

[W'boro'Cuse315]

Looks like defenseman Owen James, who originally committed to Navy as a ‘25 on 5/30, will now prep at Perkiomen School (PA) before heading to SU in ‘26. An IL 3 star, James was named Washington Post Metro POY, WCAC POY, & a US Lacrosse All-American as a senior at The Heights School (MD) this past Spring.

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/recruiting/profile/122371?active=commitment

 

[W'boro'Cuse315]

 

[W'boro'Cuse315]

 

[Hawknate144]

Those stats and acolades at a WCAC level would make me think a little bit better than a 3 star, but I will take a little potential under the radar flip. Though admitatly The Heights as far as I know does not play the strongest Non-Con outside of the WCAC when compared to Gonzaga or St Johns.

 

[DMVCuseLax]

Very good player.

 

[ohmilax34]

Yeah, this looks like a very good pick up. I'm liking these late pick ups.

 

[Hawknate144]

Yeah, this looks like a very good pick up. I'm liking these late pick ups.

yeah, they all seem to be talented players with accolades in talent rich areas who are being overlooked by recruiting sites for one reason or another (Olenik and Behan either didn't play Club or their club team was lower level and I can't find it, James wasn't sold on playing in College until he had graduated high school, I still dont really know anything about Cullum)

 

[Powellfan]

Have other people watched this highlight video? To echo Hawknate, how the heck is he only a three star recruit? Not just based on his very high accolades, but the tape shows a very good player. This kid is a whirling dervish. He has a 11 minute video full of takeaway checks, face-off wins, and a number of outstanding goals. His behind the back goal from 15 yards out is one of the better goals I've seen from a defenseman. Not sure what I am missing, but maybe that is why I am not a talent evaluator. At the very least you have to think he gets a role being on the face-off wing causing havoc. Excited about this one for sure.

 

[Hawknate144]

Have other people watched this highlight video? To echo Hawknate, how the heck is he only a three star recruit? Not just based on his very high accolades, but the tape shows a very good player. This kid is a whirling dervish. He has a 11 minute video full of takeaway checks, face-off wins, and a number of outstanding goals. His behind the back goal from 15 yards out is one of the better goals I've seen from a defenseman. Not sure what I am missing, but maybe that is why I am not a talent evaluator. At the very least you have to think he gets a role being on the face-off wing causing havoc. Excited about this one for sure.

after research, it literally looks like until May he was just going to go to Navy and not play in college, but after winning all the accolades he reconsidered and took the post-grad year to explore his options while still having Navy as a backup plan and then we got him.

 

[Cuse On 3]

This is a total steal.

 

[wgdsr]

after research, it literally looks like until May he was just going to go to Navy and not play in college, but after winning all the accolades he reconsidered and took the post-grad year to explore his options while still having Navy as a backup plan and then we got him.

late in the game, he wasn't going to play in college for whatever reasons. then navy came calling, but too late for admission to the academy or navy prep. so the plan then was post-grad year 1st.
now the flip to 'cuse. there wasn't a better player in the dmv.

 

[Hawknate144]

late in the game, he wasn't going to play in college for whatever reasons. then navy came calling, but too late for admission to the academy or navy prep. so the plan then was post-grad year 1st.
now the flip to 'cuse. there wasn't a better player in the dmv.

ok, so it was more Navy's idea, not necessarily his, got it.