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We’re finally off and running with the first NLF class of 2024 player rankings.
It’s a testament to the depth of this class that more than 100 players received consideration for the rankings, which feature the top 60 players in the country. As the class continues to make itself known, we will expand our rankings to include more and more players, particularly after their big recruiting summer.
Players from all over the country are eligible for the rankings, regardless of whether or not they play for an NLF club. Rankings are compiled after extensive analysis from club coaches, high school coaches and other prominent figures in the lacrosse world. We’ll be counting down to No. 1, continuing with this 41-30 group. Be sure to check back this week as we drop the rest of the rankings.
As a reminder, feel free to check out the rest of the site for plenty of spring high school coverage. The NLF has covered games in Pennsylvania, Maryland, D.C., New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California and more, and we look to continue to increase our coverage. If you’re looking for game stories, standouts, player quotes, etc., this is the place to find it.
Without further ado, let’s continue the class of 2024 top 60. All 10 players in this group are considered to be four-star prospects. CLICK HERE for the 60-51 group. CLICK HERE for the 50-41 group. More four-star prospects from outside the top 60 will also be announced soon.
NLF Class of 2024 Top 60
60-51
50-41
No. 40 Carter Hagen, goalie, Darien (Conn.) / Eclipse ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hagen is an outstanding ballstopper who’s next in line at Darien, one of the premier goalie factories in the entire country. At 5-10, 230 pounds, he takes up a good bit of the net, and his size definitely helps him be one of the class’ elite stoppers. An NLF at IMG All-Star this winter who was also brilliant in the cage in Eclipse’s run to the NLF National Championship title game this summer, Hagen tracks the ball well and rarely yields bad goals. He also usually throws accurate, catchable passes in the clearing game.
No. 39 Luke Macaluso, attack/midfield, Culver (Ind.) / Mad Dog ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Macaluso seems to make it his personal mission to put his defender on his highlight tape every time he dodges. At times, it can be too much and simplifying a little bit would be to his benefit. When it works, though, oh boy. The NLF at IMG All-Star is really shifty and has the change-of-direction ability, subtle fakes and stickwork to get open at X. The fact that he’s been playing midfield for the Eagles is a testament to his versatility, and he’s a terrific shooter. For a smaller offensive threat, Macaluso gets a ton of pop on his shot, too.
No. 38 Tommy Snyder, defense, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) / Long Island Express ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The younger brother of Friars starting goalie Will Snyder (Express / Fairfield) would be starting at a lot of other programs, but he plays JV for a St. Anthony’s squad that could handle a lot of varsity teams nationally. What a problem to have for St. Anthony’s. He was excellent at the NLF Fall Invitational, using his size, nasty disposition and footwork to take away top scoring threats. A 6-4, 180-pounder who also plays varsity basketball, he’s been a driving force behind a nasty Express defense for years.
No. 37 Paul McLucas, LSM, McDonogh (Md.) / Team 91 Maryland ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can never be too careful when McLucas is on the hunt. A lefty pole who also plays defensive tackle (!) for McDonogh’s football team, he’s a relentless on-ball presence who takes the ball away as much as anyone else in the class. McLucas will have to wait another year before taking over the starting LSM role from four-star senior Ohio State signee Jonny Cool, but he’s found his way onto the field as a sophomore on a stacked defense. Part of his role was being the primary faceoff man early on in the season, and thanks to his scrappiness and stickwork, was able to compete at the stripe against some big-time faceoff middies.
No. 36 Matt Jeffery, midfield, Cheshire (Conn.) / Eclipse ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jeffery flies a bit under the radar compared to some of his better-known Eclipse teammates – we’re about to go on a run of Jamie Hanford‘s guys in these rankings – but he’s a dynamic, athletic three-sport standout who excels at everything he does. Also Cheshire’s starting quarterback and starting point guard, Jeffery has the potential to blossom into a five-star as he plays more lacrosse.
The lefty gets up and down the field with ease, competes hard and can stretch defenses out with his shot.
No. 35 Payton Anderson, attack / midfield, Brunswick (Conn.) / Prime Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An enormous lefty offensive weapon who plies his trade at lefty attack for Prime Time, Anderson’s provided the Bruins with a boost on their second midfield line this year. For a frame of reference, their starting midfield line features two of the top seven players in the NLF ’23 rankings to go along with either another ACC commit or a five-star sophomore. So yeah, it says something that Anderson’s in the mix there.
Anderson’s very good at using his big frame to get physical as he tries to get to the rack. When he’s able to get under a defender, it’s over.
No. 34 Nikolas Menendez, defense, Culver (Ind.) / True ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Menendez has been a force on the back end for Culver this spring. He was part of a stingy defensive crew that did excellent work against McDonogh. The lefty Chicago-area native has a nice frame at 6-1, 185 pounds, but he also has the footwork to match up with smaller, quicker attackmen. He communicates well with his defensive mates, easily collects ground balls and has the wheels to get out in transition. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him eventually work his way into the top 10. He’s that good and has that much potential.
No. 33 Ben Friedman, goalie, Taft (Conn.) / Prime Time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friedman played up with the Prime Time 2023s last summer and looked every bit the part of a high-end ’23 recruit, so put him down with the ’24s and you’ve got a battle-tested goalie with high-end grades. Pretty good!
Friedman has excellent mechanics and doesn’t have many false movements. He reads shooters well and anticipates what they’re going to do. He doesn’t really have a discernible weakness, and Taft has to be thrilled about having him as the heir apparent to Thomas Ricciardelli (Eclipse / Notre Dame), the best senior goalie in the country.
No. 32 Reid Gills, faceoff midfield, Severn (Md.) / Crabs ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gills overcame a slow start to put forth an excellent day in a big Crabs win at the NLF Fall Invitational. Since then, he’s taken to absolutely dummying just about anyone in his path in the MIAA. That includes a phenomenal 13-for-15 day when Severn took out Boys’ Latin, which gave a glimpse at Gills’ ability to take over a game. Also an all-MIAA wrestler at 170 pounds, Gills uses leverage well, and he has an advanced understanding of counters and how to adapt on the fly.
No. 31 Finn Fox, defense, Belmont Hill (Mass.) / Laxachusetts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
He’s the best Laxachusetts defenseman, so you can go ahead and put him down as a multi-year starter at a big-time school. It’s just how these things work.
An NLF at IMG All-Star, Fox has the size, meanness, grit and toughness that are prerequisites for a No. 1 defenseman. A starter on a stacked Belmont Hill defense, he’s been able to earn that spot with his high IQ and ability to see what’s going to happen before it happens. Fox is decisive in his slide decisions and takes away time and space as a result.
