This class certainly has no shortage of recruits competing difficult skills. In fact, when making this list, it was discovered that multiple athletes compete Podkopayevas on vault, and that was not the only unique skill to be gaining traction. Even with some skill overlap, the athletes listed below all manage to stand out in their own right and will be great additions to their future college teams.
Kee Anne Cura
College: San Jose State
An athlete who excels on bars, Cura competes one of the rarer high to low bar transitions: a straddle back. While most athletes opt for the bail, Cura instead does her half turn while still on the high bar and then catches in the same position. This skill has the same difficulty rating as a bail, yet fans will surely appreciate this deviation from the norm.
Jayla Hang
College: Florida
One of the aforementioned athletes who competes a Podkopayeva on vault, Hang may follow in Florida-great Leanne Wong’s footsteps and compete that vault in college, though she also competes a gorgeous double-twisting Yurchenko. Her other events feature unique skills of their own, with her bars routine including the exceptionally difficult Downie, and her beam routine including a full-twisting back tuck.
Jordyn Johnson
College: Michigan State
Johnson has competed two vaults, each of which are more unique than most. For most of the 2025 season, she competed a Tsukahara full, but for nationals, she went back to her Yurchenko half from the 2024 season. On floor, she competes a split leg double layout, most commonly associated with UCLA alum Katelyn Ohashi.
Madray Johnson
College: Oklahoma
One of the top recruits in this class, Johnson competes a full-twisting back handspring on beam which is rare even in the elite world. This skill adds an extra half turn to the more commonly seen Onodi, which she also competes. Her arsenal of possible skills on this event will be very helpful to KJ Kindler when she constructs her college routine.
Dana Khalil
College: Uncommitted
The first of several uncommitted recruits on this list, Khalil competes internationally for Egypt and is a fantastic bar swinger, an event where she competes a Khorkina, a clear hip Shaposhnikova with a half turn. Whichever college manages to successfully gain her commitment will be very glad to have her join their bar lineup, perhaps among other events.
Raeya Linton
College: Stanford
Known for her social media presence and unique commitment announcement, Linton also stands out in her gymnastics. A 2025 national champion on beam, her first skill is a punch front pike. While a front tuck on beam is relatively common, the pike is much rarer. Linton’s routines with the Cardinal are sure to have some flair, and this skill could add to some extra wow factor on beam.
Addison Megill
College: Uncommitted
One of the top level 10 athletes still uncommitted in the class of 2026, Megill has unique skills on both bars and beam. On bars, her opening skill is a Hindorff, which is a clear-hip Tkatchev. On beam, she competes a one-armed back handspring as part of her acro series. Whichever program picks her up will be lucky to have her in its lineups.
Annalisa Milton
College: LSU
Milton is another elite that has added a second vault to her elite repertoire alongside her Yurchenko. Milton’s added vault is a Lopez, which is rarely seen in college. Her interesting skills don’t stop with beam. She also competes a Říčná on bars, which would be an exciting skill in the Tigers’ lineup.
Madison Snyder
College: Penn State
Snyder will be a welcome addition to the Nittany Lion vault lineup with her 10.0 start value vault. Other than its difficulty, her vault will also appeal to fans who may need to double-take due to its unfamiliarity. She has competed this vault, a tucked Tsukahara one and a half, with success and hopefully she will continue to perform it at Penn State.
Vanessa Wilson
College: Uncommitted
Wilson unfortunately injured her foot on floor at nationals, but still opted to compete bars afterwards. This resulted in a landing that she likely would’ve preferred to be better, but was as good as could be expected given the context (with the added bonus of it demonstrating her grit). This was also one of her first times competing a new dismount, a two-and-a-half twisting back layout, which is a very rarely seen D-rated skill that would stand out in the lineup of whichever college recruits her.
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By Gemma Selby
