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Will Pedicano knew it right away.
The Leading Edge LSM and No. 15 prospect in the class of 2025, Pedicano thought he’d locked his future down with a commitment to perennial Final Four power Virginia last fall. He fit in seamlessly with a star-studded class that also featured No. 1 ’25 Brendan Millon (McDonogh, Md. / Team 91 Maryland) and No. 4 Robby Hopper (Archbishop Spalding, Md.).
Things changed for Pedicano after his final club summer, though. The talented pole, tabbed as a U.S. Lacrosse All-American this spring at Delbarton (N.J.), started entertaining interest from another ACC blueblood in Duke. The Blue Devils needed a defender of his caliber, and Pedicano felt like he owed it to himself to at least give them a shot. He took a visit to Durham, and…
“I knew that Duke was the best fit for me from the second I got on campus,” Pedicano said. “I went in with an open mind to absorb everything that Duke had to offer, especially with its mix of high academics, a great athletic school, an awesome social scene and the fact that it’s a smaller school. When Duke initially reached out, it took me a little bit to accept it since I loved Virginia so much. The thing I liked most about it was the coaching staff. I felt a connection with (defensive coordinator) Coach (Ron) Caputo and both (head coach and offensive coordinator) Coaches (John and Matt) Danowski, and then with Coach (Kevin) Unterstein when he came on board.”
Stacked Class in Durham
The Blue Devils got an assist from defenseman Cole Krauss, himself a Delbarton and Leading Edge product, who served as Pedicano’s host on his visit. He adds to a loaded Duke class that includes fellow five-stars in NLF No. 5 ’25 Michael Ortlieb (Malvern Prep, Pa. / Big 4 HHH), No. 8 Gavin Cooper (Haverford School, Pa. / Big 4 HHH) and No. 11 Anthony Drago (West Essex, N.J.).
“The Duke class is unbelievable, and there are four Philly guys and three Jersey guys, which I like a lot,” Pedicano said. I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
Crann’s Commitment Gives Virginia Elite Midfielder
Owen Crann had always had visions of playing at Virginia.
“That was always a school that I hoped I’d go to one day,” Crann said. “I had heard great things for a while and my high school coach, Doug Worthen, played there. He’s also my adviser at school and he always told me great things about it.”
When the ‘Hoos found themselves looking for a top-flight midfielder to join their 2025 class, the Middlesex (Mass.) and Laxachusetts standout was one that they pursued aggressively. Originally committed to Penn, Crann couldn’t help but be swayed into at least checking out what Virginia had to offer. Doing that put him in a delicate situation, to say the least.
“It wasn’t easy and it was pretty stressful,” Crann said. “Penn’s always been so great to me. The coaches are so awesome and they treated me so well, and it was a super tough decision. Ultimately, though, I just loved Virginia and I could really see myself there.”
Horse in the Midfield
The No. 36 player in the class, Crann’s game has continually evolved. He plays attack in high school, where he racked up 54 goals and 25 assists this spring to lead Middlesex to the ISL championship game. In college, though, you can expect Crann to be working his magic between the lines. His dynamic work all over the field and in transition, as well as his toughness, have always been his best traits.
“I’ve always been a two-way guy my whole life. I’ve played a lot of defense, but this summer, I played a lot of offense,” Crann said. “Playing attack in high school has also helped take my game to the next level. I’ve gotten better as a dodger. Having a pole on me in the spring definitely translates well to when I have a short stick on me in the summer.”
Evans Eyes Up Family Tradition at Brown
To some, Preston Evans‘ decommitment from Virginia and ensuing commitment to Brown looked like a mere formality. Both of the Belmont Hill (Mass.) and Laxachusetts 2025 attackman’s parents went to Brown, and his dad, Dave, was an All-American for the Bears. Evans grew up watching Bears games and, by his admission, knows the ins and outs of the campus.
But if it were that easy, he would have committed to Brown a long time ago. He didn’t expect to move away from the Cavaliers, but things took a turn once new Bears head coach Jon Torpey called him to gauge his interest.
“I always grew up around Brown, but that didn’t do a lot for me initially (in the recruiting process),” said Evans, the No. 37 player in the class. “Coach Torpey called me and I was blown away by his energy and enthusiasm for the program. He was so confident in the way he spoke, and he was so successful at High Point. I just immediately gravitated to his energy.
Brown Gets a Big Boost
Evans will give the Bears a huge offensive boost. The lefty can beat you as both a scorer and a feeder, as evidenced by his 29-goal, 35-assist junior season that finished with an ISL championship for Belmont Hill. He’s Brown’s highest-rated 2025 recruit, and he hopes to continue the family lineage under Torpey’s guidance.
“I thought about it a lot and I figured I’m only going to be playing lacrosse for so long, so what’s the best place for me to set myself up for the future,” Evans said. “Brown’s one of the best schools in the country. I love it, I love the environment and I love the campus. Virginia’s an amazing school and I love the coaching staff, but this was right for me. I also didn’t realize that being close to home was something that I wanted until later on.”
Virginia Adds Boyer to the Fold
Like Crann, Ben Boyer had dreamt of suiting up on Klockner Field for Virginia for quite some time.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to go to Virginia ever since I first picked up a lacrosse stick,” the four-star LSM said. “That was where I wanted to go and that was the ultimate goal.”
That ultimate goal came to reality this week when the ‘Hoos offered the Highland Park (Texas) standout after Pedicano’s flip left a void in Virginia’s class. A U.S. Lacrosse All-American as a junior after he helped the Scots to the Texas state title game a year after winning a state title, the MadLax standout and former Ohio State verbal’s dream came true.
“It was surreal when they offered,” Boyer said. “This is what I wanted and it came true, so it was a pretty cool moment, for sure.”
Boyer’s game translates best to LSM, which is where he plays for Highland Park, but he’s also seen extensive reps at close defense with MadLax. That experience makes him one of the more versatile defenders in the class. He credits HP defensive coordinator Matt Dunn for many of the improvements in his off-ball game in the past year. That, plus playing for the NLF’s DMV team in MadLax, which got him to “the better tournaments”, has molded him into a dynamic player. The 6-2, 180-pounder fits in well into Virginia’s playing style and should be yet another MadLax alum that thrives in Charlottesville.
“I would say that my stick skills are above average. I’m really good at picking up ground balls and getting upfield, and I don’t think twice about pushing transition. As an LSM, that’s important. Coach Dunn really implemented the off-ball characteristics that I have, so off-ball defense and ground balls really carry my game.”
