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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. 41 through 50. Click the links below to see the other lists.
QB of the Offense
No. 50 Ryan DiRocco, attack, Haverford School (Pa.) / Mesa (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 90
DiRocco is a balanced attackman who can make an impact as both a scorer and a feeder, and he’s expected to get major minutes and possibly start at perennial powerhouse Haverford this year. He’s got a sky-high lacrosse IQ that allows him to see plays develop before they happen, and his handle in tight and quick decision-making are a nod to his box background.
Prototypical Midfielder
No. 49 CJ Reilly, midfield, Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.) / Long Island Express (Highlights) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 91
Checking in at 6-2, 185 pounds, Reilly looks the part of a prototypical high-major midfielder. That big frame belies his athleticism, though, as he’s shown time and time again that he can easily run by guys in the open field. Reilly, a very heady and unselfish player, is a dangerous threat to score down the alley with either hand and he also cuts well to open space.
QB of the Defense
No. 48 Kevin Kearns, defense, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) / Team 91 LI Bandits (Highlights) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 91
Kearns is the rare high school defenseman that’s just as good off-ball as he is on it, a trait that will endear him to a lot of college coaches. He quarterbacks the defense and knows how to be a two or a three slide, but he also plays with a prickly disposition and plenty of aggressiveness to go along with great angles in the 1v1 game. He’s not the guy who’s likely to end up on Instagram for launching an attackman’s stick into orbit, but he’ll keep his man off the scoresheet.
Intangibles for Days
No. 47 Hill Plunkett, attack, Roswell (Ga.) / Thunder LB3 (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 91
Plunkett was an All-Star at the NLF Futures at IMG event, where he filled up the back of the net but also got plenty of love about his play away from the ball, too.
“He just outworks everybody,” Dan Chouinard, Plunkett’s coach at the event, said. “He must have gotten us five or six extra possessions throughout the weekend with his work on the ride. He works so hard and his compete level is off the charts.”
A creative player with a good handle, Plunkett is money from inside of eight yards.
Philly Midfield Scorer
No. 46 Kris Henning, midfield, Garnet Valley (Pa.) / Big 4 HHH (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 91
An outstanding shooter who can stretch out a defense up to 15 yards – with either hand, for that matter – Henning is a well-rounded offensive threat who can beat his man off the dodge with regularity. An All-Star at NLF at IMG, he has shown the willingness to mix it up defensively, and he projects to have a breakout spring as one of Garnet Valley’s top scoring options. If he becomes a little more assertive, it’s game over for defenses.
Lefty Trouble
No. 45 Dillon Torggler, defense, St. Mary’s (Md.) / Annapolis Hawks (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 91
A tall, rangy lefty, Torggler does an excellent job of covering a ton of ground while also creating havoc. Torggler excels off the ground, rarely needing a second chance to grab a loose ball, and he gets his stick in passing lanes. He also thrives between the lines in the transition game, consistently showing an ability to get away from the ride.
Quicks for Days
No. 44 Michael Smyth, midfield, St. Paul’s (Md.) / FCA (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 91
Far from the biggest middie out there, but that doesn’t seem to affect Smyth too much. An explosive lefty who’s a deadly dual-threat off the invert as a finisher and inside feeder, Smyth is a mismatch with his quickness and make-you-miss-in-a-phone-booth change of direction. He does a really good job of finding open guys on the back side, too.
Elite Malvern Midfielder
No. 43 Ryan Falkenstein, midfield, Malvern Prep (Pa.) (Highlights)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 92
An elite athlete who also brings a 6-1, 190-pound frame to the table, Falkenstein has the type of athleticism that jumps off the page, even against elite competition. An absolute animal in transition who gets open rather easily when going downhill, Falkenstein also does a nice job of keeping his head up and finding his teammates.
Do-It-All Faceoff Midfielder
No. 42 Robert Simone, faceoff midfield, Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) / NJ Riot
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 92
A well-rounded presence at the faceoff X, Simone makes good use of his wrestling background to stay low and outmuscle his opponent. That, combined with an advanced knowledge of exits and where to put the ball, make him a problem. Good off the ground, he also relishes the opportunity to play defensive midfielder and embraces its physical aspect. He makes smart passes off the break and is particularly adept at going across his body to hit the lefty point.
Between the Lines Havoc
No. 41 Nick Sotiropoulos-Lawrence, LSM, Severn (Md.) / Annapolis Hawks (Highlights) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, 92
Gifted with prototypical LSM skills, Sotiropoulos-Lawrence makes his impact felt in the middle of the field. He gets out on guys and puts immediate pressure on them, and he does an excellent job of getting the ball up off the carpet. Sotiropoulos-Lawrence also isn’t afraid to let it fly in transition, either.
