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The West Coast Starz have been a powerhouse in lacrosse for nearly two decades, and their 2026 class is showing they’ve still got the stick skills and hustle to dominate. With founder and recruiting ace Jono Zissi at the helm, the Starz are once again flooding top college programs with elite talent.

And the results speak for themselves—athletically and academically. This year’s early wave of commitments highlights just how strong the West Coast Starz pipeline is, with the 2026 class already shaping up to be something special.

“We’ve already got 19 commits in just over a month, and what’s exciting is the range of schools they’re heading to—17 different programs,” Zissi said. “That shows how much diversity there is in our talent pool and how we’re not just sending players to the same few colleges every year. It’s a reflection of how well-rounded these kids are both academically and athletically.”

Affiliates Help Build Something Special

Zissi’s recruiting success is all about collaboration. With affiliate clubs across Arizona, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Utah, West Coast Starz pulls together top players from each region to form an all-star squad. According to Zissi, this makes teamwork the heart of the program.

“We do a great job of working with our affiliates,” Zissi explained. “We sync our schedules so there’s no competition between our regional clubs and West Coast Starz, and it’s a true partnership. That’s a big part of why we’re able to maintain such a strong program.”

That collaborative approach has paid off for players like Ross Jacobsen, Landon Johnson, and Joe Ligas. Standout players from three different regions, this trio of West Coast Starz all made early commitments to upper echelon schools across the country.

Up and Down the West Coast

Jacobsen, an attackman/midfielder from Torrey Pines in San Diego, recently committed to Dartmouth. For him, the opportunity to help build a program was what drew him to the Ivy League school. 

“Dartmouth is building something special,” Jacobson said. “The chance to be part of a program that’s on the rise is really exciting. It’s not just about winning—it’s about leaving the place better than you found it. That’s something that’s always resonated with me, and it’s a mentality I’m taking with me to college.”

Four-star Landon Johnson from Eastlake in Seattle, found a similar appeal at Cornell, where he’ll be joining the dynamic and storied Big Red.

“Cornell’s offense is really free-flowing and allows players to play multiple roles, which fits my style perfectly,” Johnson said. “Being able to contribute in different ways on the field is something I’ve always prided myself on, and Cornell’s approach really excites me.”

For five-star defender Joe Ligas from Whitney in Sacramento, the decision to commit early to Notre Dame was as much about family as it was about lacrosse. 

“Notre Dame has always been a dream of mine,” Ligas said. “My great-grandfather and grandfather both went there, and being able to follow in their footsteps is really special for me. The academics, the lacrosse, the tradition—it all lined up perfectly. Plus, having most of my extended family in Chicago makes it feel like a homecoming.”

Who’s Next to Reach for the Starz?

The success of the 2026 class is a real credit to Zissi’s long-standing connections in the lacrosse world and the strong relationships he’s built with college coaches over the years.

“Recruiting is subjective,” Zissi noted. “One school might love a player, and another might not. What’s important is that the kids trust the process and focus on improving themselves as players and students. Every player’s path is different.”

That emphasis on trusting the process is something Zissi drives home with all his players. 

“We’re not the type of program that goes to every event,” he said. “We’re selective. We take our kids to the best events where they’ll get seen by the top college coaches. It’s about quality, not quantity, and our kids get seen because we have that reputation.”

Even though the club brings together players from all over the West Coast and doesn’t practice together as frequently as other programs, Zissi believes the raw athleticism of his players makes them stand out. 

“Our kids have a lot of upside,” Zissi said. “They’re not as refined as some of the players who grow up with the game back East, but college coaches love their potential. They see these athletes who have so much room to grow, and that’s exciting for them.”

Game-Changing Experience

For the players, being part of West Coast Starz has been a game-changer, shaping them both on and off the field.

“West Coast Starz brings together the best players from all over the region,” Johnson said. “Even though we don’t get to practice as much as some other teams, we’ve developed a great chemistry. It’s helped me grow as a player, and I know it’s going to be a huge asset when I get to college.”

Looking ahead, Zissi’s message to the next generation of West Coast players is deceptively simple. 

“It’s all about controlling what you can control,” Zissi said. “Work hard, stay focused, and let the process take care of itself. Our job at West Coast Starz is to provide the opportunities, but it’s up to the players to put in the work.”

With 17 early commits already in the books and more likely on the way, the 2026 class is primed to carry on the West Coast Starz tradition of dominating between the lines and excelling off the field. And for Zissi, that’s what the game is all about.

“Seeing these kids grow and succeed is the most rewarding part of what I do,” he said. “The talent is there, and it’s exciting to see how far they’ve come. The West Coast is just getting started.”

West Coast Starz
2026 Commitments

Luke Bittner, faceoff midfield, JSerra Catholic (Calif.) – Air Force
Braylon Englehart, defense, Erie (Colo.) – St. Bonaventure
Foster Huang, faceoff midfield, Torrey Pines (Calif.) – Syracuse
Ross Jacobsen, attack, Torrey Pines (Calif.) – Dartmouth
Tucker Jones, defense, St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) – Navy
Landon Johnson, midfield, Eastlake (Wash.) – Cornell
Rhett King, goalie, Corner Canyon (Utah) – Denver
Camden Korb-Nice, defense, Nathan Hale (Wash.) – Bucknell
Joe Ligas, defense, Whitney (Calif.) – Notre Dame
Tom Lowe, LSM, Bishop’s (Calif.) – Penn
Mackie Malkiel, midfield, Jesuit (Ore.) – Utah
Tanner Olrich, midfield, St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) – Virginia
Max Ripple, attack, St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) – Michigan
Colby Rossettie, attack, Lawrenceville (N.J.) – Johns Hopkins
Jack Ryan, defense, Bishop’s (Calif.) – Army
Tate Sedlachek, midfield, Marin Catholic (Calif.) – Harvard
Bridger Stockton, defense, Torrey Pines (Calif.) – Drexel
Johan Van Oast, faceoff midfield, St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.) – Michigan
Max Wenger, midfield, Torrey Pines (Calif.) – Bucknell