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The first NLF class of 2025 rankings are here!
Team 91 Maryland attackman Brendan Millon earned the No. 1 spot in the rankings after an incredible sophomore campaign at McDonogh (Md.). Millon led the Eagles to their second consecutive MIAA championship, highlighted by a four-goal, one-assist performance in the title game. That capped a 47-goal, 33-assist campaign that pushed him from a likely top-10 prospect to start the year to the No. 1 ranking. Click here to find out more about him.
Joining him in the top 10 are five other attackmen, a midfielder, an LSM, an LSM/defenseman hybrid and a goalie. Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of the rest of the top 10.
NLF Class of 2025 Top 10
2. Christopher Alexis, midfield, Salisbury (Conn.) / SweetLax Florida
Alexis is as athletic a prospect as there is in the class of 2025. He is – scientific term here – SO fast. He looks like he’s playing in fast forward. Alexis makes fast people look not fast. His long speed and ability to change directions in the open field is second to none. He also continues to develop his offensive game. His shot on the run is an absolute weapon and he demands an early slide on every dodge. Alexis racked up 18 goals, five assists and 15 ground balls for the Crimson Knights despite missing four games with an injury.
3. Khalif Hocker, attack, St. Xavier (Ohio) / Resolute
Hocker had a monster freshman campaign at St. Xavier, tallying 44 times and dishing out 20 assists. He’s since blown those numbers out of the water en route to earning Ohio Region 4 Player of the Year and Attackman of the Year. A two-time One Percent all-star, Hocker’s an elite dodger and a threat to score with either hand. Extremely strong – he reports a 605-pound deadlift – he also has the athleticism to run by defenders and draw a slide. Hocker’s also an excellent box lacrosse player, a nod to Resolute’s intense box program. That shows up in his field game with his ability to make split-second decisions and with how he makes plays in tight. Here’s more about what makes him special.
4. Cam Kelley, attack, Taft (Conn.) / Prime Time
At 6-2, 185 pounds, the class’ premier lefty attackman looks the part of a future ACC sniper. He fired home 25 goals and added four assists as a freshman for Taft and was productive yet again as a sophomore despite battling injuries throughout the season. Kelley uses his great size, speed, athleticism and body control to score goals. Lots of ’em. In last year’s run to Prime Time’s first NLF national championship, he bagged five goals in the semifinals and added two more in the title game. Kelley is a menace at GLE and on the low wings and is an underrated passer. When he’s dialed in, he’s the most terrifying prospect in the class because nobody can take over a game the way he can. Kelley is leaving Taft at the end of the year and should be a huge acquisition for whichever school lands him. Find out more about him here.
5. Josh Marcus, goalie, Staples (Conn.) / Eclipse
Cool, calm and collected. Marcus doesn’t get fazed by anything, and he’s got the game to back up being tabbed as the No. 1 goalie in the class. Inserted into Staples’ starting lineup midway through his freshman season, he led the Wreckers to a state title. Eclipse director Will Koshansky‘s Staples team won because of Marcus, not in spite of him, when Marcus stopped 62 percent of shots sent his way.
Marcus has all the technical savvy and knowledge that you’d expect from the son of a former All-American goalie in Johns Hopkins legend Jon Marcus. He makes tough saves look easy because he’s always in the right spot and always doing the right thing. Marcus is elite in the clearing game, communicates at an advanced level and doesn’t waste any movements. He battled some injuries this spring, but took his place back in the Staples cage in time for the postseason. Click here to read more about him.
6. Gavin Cooper, defense / LSM, Haverford School (Pa.) / Big 4 HHH
Physically, Cooper looks ready to start in the ACC right now… as a strong safety. He’s 6-1, 210 pounds, and it’s very clear that he’s been well-acquainted with Haverford’s weight room for years. Cooper started as a freshman on defense for the Fords, which NEVER happens. He then followed it up with an All-Inter-Ac campaign at LSM, a position move that allowed Cooper to take full advantage of his athleticism and transition skills. Cooper runs well in the open field and has surprisingly good agility for such a muscular and powerful kid. He shut down some of the best players in the country this spring and also showed an active stick, both in taking the ball away and knocking down passes.
7. Jackson Maher, attack, Bullis (Md.) / DC Express
Maher’s been starting at lefty attack as a righty since he was a freshman, which is wild enough before you even consider his stats. After bagging 27 goals and 10 assists as a freshman, he erupted for 50 goals and 15 assists for Bullis, including a two-goal, one-assist day against Inter-Ac playoff champion Malvern Prep.
The 6-3, 190-pounder has terrific body control, is a fantastic shooter and is excellent behind the cage. Maher’s ceiling is vast, particularly as he continues to grow into his massive frame. He has understated passing ability for a shoot-first guy and will often find the open man on a double team instead of trying to force a shot.
8. Connor Kuttin, attack, Chaminade (N.Y.) / Long Island Express
Kuttin excels at getting everyone else around him involved and making his teammates around him better. He racked up four points in his varsity debut against rival and NLF No. 2 St. Anthony’s en route to a 13-goal, 23-assist sophomore campaign while splitting time with older teammates. Kuttin relies on a ridiculously-high IQ and elite passing ability and vision to get things done. He’s shifty on the dodge and deceptively strong for a smaller attackman. He also gets good power on his shot and is a threat to score from the wing. Find out more about him here.
9. Michael Ortlieb, attack, Malvern Prep (Pa.) / Big 4 HHH
Very similar in playing style to Connor Kuttin, Ortlieb saw time as a freshman for the Friars and was a full-time starter as a sophomore. Ortlieb racked up 49 goals and 25 assists in helping Malvern take home the Inter-Ac’s playoff. He tallied four times and added an assist in the championship game. Ortlieb relies on his IQ and understanding of where to be to get open. He won’t wow you with flashy dodging ability, but he’s always in the right spot and always makes the right play.
10. Will Pedicano, LSM, Delbarton (N.J.) / Leading Edge
You don’t want to see Pedicano in the middle of the field. He has elite stickwork, throws every check in the book and pushes transition at an elite level. Last summer, he hammered home 23 goals in his first season with Leading Edge. At 6-3, 185 pounds, he’s the prototype for the LSM position. Pedicano has served as the backup to four-star senior Jake Melchionni (Villanova) this spring, and he’ll take over No. 1 duties for the Green Wave next spring.
Yes, sometimes he can get beat because of his aggressiveness, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. He covers at an advanced level for an LSM and he is so disruptive in the middle of the field that he affects how opposing teams clear and attack the goal.
