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Depending on who you ask, Leif Anderson‘s a better prospect at either LSM or close defense.
There’s a lot to like about the Eclipse 2027 and Brunswick (Conn.) sophomore defender. The 6-2, 185-pounder is an excellent athlete with a high-end motor, and he’s as comfortable running pole or trying to lock down opponents’ No. 1 attackmen down low. It’s a great problem to have, and it’s a huge reason why Anderson is considered one of the top defenders in the class.
“He’s very versatile, and when I’m coaching defensemen, that’s what I love,” Eclipse director Jamie Hanford said. “If you think of five-stars, you think of a guy who can guard righty or lefty, small and quick or big and strong, play up top or down low. Leif’s IQ is very good and he’s always making plays in transition. He communicates really well and understands the game. He’s playing at a top high school, too, which always helps.”
Another Brunswick/Eclipse Five-Star
Indeed. Anderson’s the next great defender out of a Brunswick program that has a seemingly never-ending pipeline of them. This year, he’s carved out a role for himself as the No. 2 LSM on a team that’s in the national top 10 after securing big wins over the likes of fellow top 25 teams Delbarton (N.J.), Deerfield (Mass.) and Lawrenceville (N.J.).
His skill set and prior performances on the field helped him become the NLF’s second five-star prospect in the class of 2027. He joins fellow versatile defensive chess piece Jagger Zemachson (Seton Hall Prep, N.J. / Leading Edge) in those ranks. The NLF’s first class of 2027 top 60 will be published in a few weeks.
“Leif has a great motor. He’s very aggressive, which is why we moved him to pole. There are fewer rules for him there than he would have at close defense, and it fits him well. He runs the middle of the field well, he’s good off the ground and he’s done well for us,” Brunswick head coach David Bruce said.
Scouting Report
Anderson’s versatility really is his calling card. When defending up top, he’s a little more adventurous with his checks. He is excellent at running the field and loves to push the pace. He is terrific with the ball in his stick and is more than happy to shoot if given the opportunity. Sometimes, he can get a little over aggressive in coverage at close defense, but that’s a very common thing for young defenders to have to work on. He’s got the mean attitude and snarl that you want out of an elite defenseman. Anderson’s got a nose for the ball and it seems to find him pretty frequently. It feels like there’s a ton of untapped potential here, and Anderson’s runway to hitting his top-end talent seems vast.
