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It’s easy to get caught up in all of the ways that Tomas Delgado can change a game.
The Prime Time 2023 and Brunswick (Conn.) midfielder is the ideal match of power and finesse, size and speed, offensive dynamo and scrappy defensive midfielder. If you find a flaw with his game, you’re probably really nitpicking.
Despite all of his physical talents, though, there’s something that Delgado truly prides himself on. Good luck finding anyone more competitive than him. Nobody’s going to outwork him, and it’s a mentality that he brings to every play of every game.
“For Prime Time, I start on the wing, and that first ball’s got to be mine,” Delgado said. “My dad, Alberto, always taught me that ground balls are the most important part of the game. I like to think of myself as a well-rounded player and every part of the game means just as me to me as the other. It’s not what about what you put on the stat sheet. It’s about what you contribute to the game.”
Gamebreaker at Midfield
Luckily for Delgado, he does both in spades. The No. 3 overall player in the first NLF class of 2023 rankings, as well as the No. 2 midfielder in the class, is the total package. He plays angry and mean, uses his athleticism to make an impact all over the field, and he has the never-ending desire to get better every day.
“When I walk on the lacrosse field, I’m just so excited to play,” Delgado said. “Wanting it more than the other guy is how I always want to play. I’ve also found that the better competition I play against, the better I play. I think that my game always elevates against the best competition. I’m not one to step down and be shy. I want to show what I can do.”
Delgado, who’s been a main stay in the stat book this spring as Brunswick has sprinted out to a fast start, is a gamebreaker in every sense of the word out of the midfield. He parlayed an outstanding summer into an even better fall, shining at events like the One Percent Showcase and Nike National All-Star Games.
Family Athleticism
He’s the latest elite athlete out of the Delgado family, where being one seems to be the expectation. Alberto was an all-county runner and his wife, Linda, was a great tennis player. Tomas’ oldest brother, AJ, is a midfielder at Duke. He also has an older brother Lucas, a senior at Brunswick who played for Eclipse, is committed to Michigan. Despite that, it’s hard to find anyone who knows the family that doesn’t think Tomas will be the best of the bunch.
“His compete level is one of the highest that I’ve ever seen from any player,” Prime Time director Nick Daniello said. “His ability to dominate on both sides of the field is rarely seen in this sport. He’s as humble as it comes and is a super high-academic kid. In my opinion, he’s hands-down the best player in the class.”
Delgado warranted serious consideration for the top spot in the class and should challenge for the No. 1 title for the duration of his high school career. A big part of his development and competitiveness have come from his family’s athletic background, and as the youngest of three brothers, you tend to form an extra chip on your shoulder.
“We did everything when we were younger,” Delgado said. “I’d be playing a football game, then taking the pads off to go to the soccer field. I played lacrosse and baseball, and swimming and basketball. I was a big swimmer and I started playing club lacrosse in my sixth grade summer. My mom wanted me to wait one more summer to play lacrosse, but it worked out.”
Sky’s the Limit
It sure has. It’s also helped to be able to go to school with Lucas. The two worked out together all quarantine, have taken countless early-morning shots together, and bounced ideas off of each other. Actually, it’s usually Lucas that does the talking and Tomas that takes in the insight.
“He’s given me advice my whole life,” the younger Delgado said. “I take pride that I can learn pretty quickly and I try not to be stubborn. As much as I’ve played, AJ and Lucas have done and seen more. I know that they’re always trying to help me and they’re looking out for me.”
Someone’s going to need to look out for anyone who goes up against Tomas, though.
NLFRankings.com Class of ’23 Rankings
No. 3 Tomas Delgado, midfield, Brunswick (Conn.) / Prime Time
No. 4 Tucker Wade, midfield, Bullis (Md.) / DC Express
No. 5 Owen Duffy, attack, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) / Team 91 Long Island
No. 6 Caleb Fyock, goalie, St. John’s (D.C.) / Annapolis Hawks
No. 7 Benn Johnston, midfield, Avon Old Farms (Conn.) / True National
No. 8 Mac Christmas, LSM, Georgetown Prep (Md.) / MadLax DC Dogs
No. 9 Nate Kabiri, attack, Episcopal (Va.) / MadLax DC Dogs
No. 10 Jacob Pacheco, midfield, Boys’ Latin (Md.) / Crabs
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