Dylan Mingo’s delayed commitment keeps Baylor, North Carolina, Penn State and Washington waiting

As the 2026 national recruiting cycle begins to wind down, one of its most talented players and storylines still has yet to be resolved.

Five-star guard Dylan Mingo, a 6-foot-5 combo prospect who has hovered near the top of recruiting boards all year, is still weighing his final decision. With most of the class already committed, Mingo stands as one of the last true five star players left to decide, and his choice could be monumental for the program of his choosing.

Mingo has trimmed his list to four finalists: Baylor, North Carolina, Penn State, and Washington. He was originally set to announce his commitment on Thursday, January 22, but that timeline has since shifted. While the delay doesn’t suggest a lengthy wait, it does add a layer of uncertainty to a recruitment that once felt close to resolution.

For much of the past week, momentum appeared to be pointing in one direction. A lone crystal ball projection had favored Baylor, hinting that the Bears may have been closing in on the talented combo guard. That confidence, however, has since disappeared. The prediction from Travis Branham was officially pulled on Thursday, completely reopening the race and suggesting other teams made some significant ground on Mingo.

5-star combo guard Dylan Mingo's crystal ball to Baylor has evaporated. Game is wide open for the talented prospect from NY.

And that uncertainty feels fitting, given how evenly matched Mingo’s options appear. Penn State offers familiarity, with his brother Kayden already part of the program. North Carolina brings national visibility and recent traction, having been closely linked to Mingo throughout the later stages of his recruitment. Baylor, despite losing its crystal ball edge, remains a program with a proven track record of developing guards and competing at the highest level. Washington, meanwhile, presents an opportunity for immediate impact and a fresh start in a new environment.

Each path offers something different and each carries its own appeal. Now, it’s simply a matter of timing.

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