This year the class of 26′ is sending off a good number of seniors into the college student athlete life all over the globe. The sports vary from football and basketball to soccer and swimming, with those who are playing sports in college all had been playing varsity since their freshman days and most of them having impact in their underclassmen days. I asked most of the seniors these 2 critical questions “what made you feel like this school was the best fit for you” and what are you most excited for about being a college athlete, here’s what they had to say. I asked senior Logan Robertson about her commitment to Randolph Macon University here is what she had to say, “I wanted a smaller school with good coaches and education, and they also gave me money because of my grades, and I was ready to compete at a new level with new people” I also asked Makayla Keys about her Mary Mount Washington commitment “it had a good balance with education and sports, I want to be impactful to the university with my athletic abilities.”
I also got the chance to speak with Kordell London who had committed to Virginia Peninsula Community College, and he was very thrilled about his upcoming journey, “I’m very blessed that I get the opportunity to compete at the next level, it’s always something I have dreamed about and being able to live out my dream with new people and new opportunity’s. I can’t thank my parents enough for believing in my and everything they have done for me.” The class of 26′ is sending off the most seniors out of the last 4 years. For many of these seniors, choosing a college wasn’t just about athletics. It was about finding a place where they could continue becoming the best versions of themselves. That theme echoed through every conversation. Seniors talked about community, opportunity, and the excitement of stepping into a new chapter where they can push their limits even further. Several athletes mentioned how much their teammates and coaches shaped their journeys.
Many said they wouldn’t be where they are without the support systems built over four years — the underclassmen who looked up to them, the teammates who pushed them, and the coaches who believed in them even on the hard days. That sense of gratitude was a constant thread. The Class of ’26 isn’t just sending athletes to the next level — it’s sending leaders, role models, and trailblazers who have shaped their programs from the moment they first put on a varsity jersey. What makes this group special isn’t just the number of commitments, but the stories behind them: years of early‑morning practices, long bus rides, tough losses, big wins, and the kind of growth that only sports can teach.
