The first NLF rankings for the class of 2023 are here!
We’ve made a couple changes, too. Traditionally limited to players on NLF teams or who played at NLF events, the rankings are now open to anyone in the country. We’ll be unveiling the rankings in reverse order in groups of 10. It starts with this group of 60-51, for players 60-11. Then, we’ll be featuring the top 10 players with their own feature story. Who’ll sit atop the first set of rankings? You’ll find out soon.
Star Power
We will also continue to assign star and numerical rankings to players, an industry standard for recruiting coverage of all sports. We’ve tweaked our numerical rankings since the last ’22 rankings to properly reflect how special players have to be to be ranked in the top 60 players in the country.
Ready? Here are players ranked Nos. 31 through 40. Click the links below to see the other lists.
Lefty Rips
No. 40 Owen Dixon, attack, Loyola Blakefield (Md.) / Crabs (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 92
The lefty sniper is automatic from inside of 10 yards and can stretch out and convert from even farther out. He’s got the speed to create his own shot on top side swings and does a terrific job of breaking down defenses off of wing dodges. One of the better pure lefty snipers in the class.
Sky-High Potential
No. 39 Sam Ralston, defense/LSM, Hartland (Mich.) / Cherries (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 92
“He’s the closest defenseman that we’ve had to (Georgetown starting defenseman and Cherries alum) James Donaldson that we’ve had in my six years here,” Cherries coach Chris Garland said.
Excellent off the ground to go with plenty of range and athleticism, the 6-2, 185-pound Ralston has immense upside and the versatility to cover up top at LSM or down low at close defense.
Family Lineage
No. 38 Rowan Clay, defense, Forest Hills Central (Mich.) / Cherries (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 92
Clay doesn’t miss off the ground. In fact, he’s got such a good handle that there’s a chance he’ll play plenty of attack for Forest Hills Central this spring. Seriously. Defensively, he has outstanding footwork and is a very tenacious defender. The youngest brother of four, two of which play Division I lacrosse (Jackson at High Point and Bryce at Michigan), he might be the best of ’em all.
Total Package
No. 37 Wills Burt, midfield, Haverford School (Pa.) / Mesa (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 93
Burt’s elite-level speed immediately helps him stand out. You are absolutely not catching him in the open field. Sorry. Save your time and effort. He was expected to start as a freshman a year ago for Haverford, a rare feat, and buried a hat trick in the Fords’ season opener this year. He’ll be highly sought-after in the shot clock era thanks to his speed, hard shot and excellent defensive chops.
Make It, Take It
No. 36 Sean Creter, faceoff midfield, Hunterdon Central (N.J.) / Leading Edge (Highlights) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 93
Creter followed ’22 Luke Engelke (Pingry, N.J. / Duke) in the line of Leading Edge faceoff guys who also play man-up, and when a faceoff guy can shoot as well as Creter can, you better keep him out there. Creter is really explosive out of his stance, is very clean off the ground and puts a ton of stress on a defense off of his wins. He stays low to the ground and uses his strength to outmuscle his opponents, too.
Difference Maker Everywhere
No. 35 Jordan Ito, midfield, Western Reserve (Ohio) / Cherries (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 93
Ito is a very dynamic force out of the midfield, one who can make himself at home anywhere on the field. He’s electric in transition and is a very good defender. At the other end, his quickness and speed make him a tough cover, and he also packs an explosive shot on the run.
Southern Lefty Sniper
No. 34 Niko Karetsos, attack, Pace (Ga.) / Thunder LB3 (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 93
Karetsos is absolutely not the guy to leave open, not even for a second. The lefty brings absolute heat on his shots, both with time and room and on the run. An NLF Futures at IMG All-Star, Karetsos is a tough dodger for defenders to corral, routinely getting top side, and he’s got good vision when seeing how skip lanes develop.
Do-it-All Threat
No. 33 Mike Rooney, midfield, Iona Prep (N.Y.) / Long Island Express (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 93
A 6-1, 175-pound middie who excels between the lines and plays really good defense to go along with a big-time chip on his shoulder, Rooney gets downhill quickly and packs a hard, heavy shot. He’s the primary offensive threat for the defending NLF national champion Express squad, and he’ll be highly sought-after because of his ability to make an impact all over the field.
Shake ‘n’ Snipe
No. 32 Jackson Greene, midfield, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) / Team 91 LI Bandits
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 93
A super slick offensive presence who’s one of the more dynamic offensive midfield threats in the class, Greene is extremely shifty when dodging and can shake just about any defender and uncork a strong, heavy shot. He’s absolutely deadly when he gets down the righty alley and gets his preferred overhand shot, on which he changes shot locations well.
Lefty Buckets
No. 31 Ryan Nagle, attack, Duxbury (Mass.) / Laxachusetts
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 93
Pair Nagle with a great passer and watch him score approximately a million goals. The lefty is incredibly productive – he scored close to 30 goals, including six (!!!) in the All-Star Game at the NLF Futures at IMG. Nagle knows exactly what his game is and he doesn’t try to pull himself out of his comfort zone. He has a knack for getting open inside and needing only a split second for the ball to go from his stick to the back of the net.
