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2023 Rankings
1-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
No. 51 Walker Schwartz, LSM, Germantown Academy (Pa.) / Big 4 HHH – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 91
Schwartz projects to be the Patriots’ biggest recruit in two decades. He started as a sophomore for Big 4 HHH director Billy McKinney‘s team as a sophomore and was the lone sophomore to earn All-Inter-Ac honors. He’s not an overly dynamic athlete, but makes up for it with his tenacity, aggressiveness, toughness and stick skills off the ground. Schwartz, who had an excellent day at the Elite 120 and was a One Percent Showcase All-Star this summer, has a knack for causing turnovers, particularly as he hounds opponents in the middle of the field. If he can refine his off-ball defense and get a half-step quicker, he’ll be able to take his game to the next level.
No. 52 CJ Reilly, midfield, Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.) / Long Island Express – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 91
At 6-2 and 185 pounds, Reilly sure looks the part of a big-time midfielder. He gets up and down the field very easily and projects well to the next level with his ability to make plays offensively, defensively and in transition. He posted a modest 10-goal, eight-assist campaign as a Cold Spring Harbor sophomore, but it won’t be much of a surprise when those numbers skyrocket next spring. Reilly had a really good day at the Elite 120. His size and speed combo have made him a hot commodity with college coaches this month.
No. 53 Fletcher Sullivan, midfield, Regis Jesuit (Colo.) / Denver Elite – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 91
Sullivan plays so hard and can assimilate himself to just about any role required of him. He was outstanding at the NLF National Championships this summer and it’s where he showed that he could thrive in any situation. A One Percent Showcase All-Star, Sullivan scores goals, plays stout defense, takes the occasional faceoff, plays on the wings and relishes the opportunity to pop somebody on the defensive end. Offensively, he dodges hard to get to the middle of the field to create chances.
No. 54 Roman Buono, defense, Malvern Prep (Pa.) / Mesa – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 91
The younger brother of Nike National Senior All-Star Pup Buono, an LSM headed to Penn State, Roman Buono is more comfortable at close defense, and it’s where he thrives. At 6-1, 190 pounds, he’s got excellent size as well as immense upside. Also a good wrestler at one of the country’s premier programs, Buono’s toughness and versatility have endeared him to a ton of coaches. He has an advanced understanding of off-ball concepts and should emerge as a starter for the Friars this spring.
No. 55 Mark Marino, attack/midfield, Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) / NJ Riot – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 91
At 6-1, 185 pounds, Marino already has the physical frame of an ACC attackman, and he was hyper productive all summer long. He was instrumental to Don Bosco Prep’s run to a Tournament of Champions title this spring, going off for 19 goals and 15 assists, including two goals and a helper in the championship game. Marino packs some pop into his shot, showing the ability to stretch out a defense with his shot power and accuracy, but he’s also adept at setting his teammates up with a variety of looks. Very comfortable as an initiator at X and fearless about getting to the paint to score goals.
No. 56 James Carroll, LSM, Boston College (Mass.) / Laxachusetts ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 91 – Georgetown
LSMs are always expected to have a great handle and to be able to take the ball away, but Carroll takes it to another level. He’s not shy about throwing an array of checks and lands a high percentage of them. The younger brother of Georgetown attackman Aidan Carroll, James is a menace on the ball with his surgical ability to rip the ball out. A One Percent Showcase All-Star, he easily gathers ground balls and gets the transition game going. Carroll is a threat to score in transition and continues to improve his 1v1 defense.
No. 57 Sam Ralston, defense, Hartland (Mich.) / Cherries ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 91
Ralston had a very strong summer on the heels of a spring where he was a second-team all-state pick for a Hartland team that reached the Michigan state final before bowing out to perennial powerhouse Brother Rice. Checking in at 6-2, 185 pounds, he’s got a prototypical frame to go along with an elite work ethic. A One Percent Showcase All-Star, Ralston was a driving force behind the Cherries’ run to the title game at the NAL tournament. A versatile defender who can play close or LSM, Ralston is rangy and has a very good handle.
No. 58 Cole Webber, defense, Garden City (N.Y.) / Shore2Shore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 91
Webber helped Shore2Shore reach the championship game of the NLF National Championships, but it was clear that he wasn’t at full health. Despite that, he’s a very rangy, heady defender who also packs a 6-3, 185-pound frame. When he’s healthy, he moves as well as any defenseman in the class. A three-sport athlete who also excels at football and basketball, Webber is exceptionally athletic and projects well to the next level.
No. 59 Cayden Christopher, midfield, Pickerington North (Ohio) / Resolute ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 90
Christopher was a major reason why the Resolute ’23s turned a lot of heads this summer when they reached the semifinals at UMass. An exceptional athlete who packs a ton of power into his shot, the lefty has a knack for slaloming through the defense in the open field. Christopher has the suddenness to put consistently put defenders in a blender and he does an excellent job of getting to the middle of the field to set up his shot. Also a strong safety and wide receiver for one of Ohio’s best football programs, he’s got some sandpaper to his game to go along with significant upside.
No. 60 Karter Williams, defense, Hough (N.C.) / Team 91 Charlotte ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 90
There’s a strong argument to be made that Williams has the highest upside of any close defenseman in the class. It’s hard not to love his physical gifts, for one. He’s every bit of 6-4, 195 pounds with ample room to put on mass once he hits a college weight room. He could eventually play at 6-5, 215 and be a terror on the back end. For someone who’s been labeled as raw by some, he’s got a good stick and pushes transition well. A first-team all-state pick this spring and a Maverik Showtime all-star this summer, Williams’ game’s trajectory has been on a rocket ship to the moon for the past year and it’s only going higher.
