Top Class of 2028 Boys' Lacrosse Prospects Ahead of Sept. 9

After speaking with college, club and high school coaches, here are 16 players in the Class of 2028 whose summers set them up to be priority contacts by college coaches. 

Junior boys in high school cannot be contacted until 7 a.m. local time Sept. 9, a change this year from Sept. 1 at midnight that athletes and coaches had long been accustomed to setting aside.

Sawyer Bligh

Position: Midfield  
High School: Brunswick (Conn.)  
Club: West Coast Starz

An incredible competitor who is also a talented football player, he carries the National Lacrosse Federation’s No. 1 ranking for his class. Patient yet persistent, he’s an alpha that wants the ball in his stick at the end of a game and knows how to generate a goal. With Brunswick missing a couple key players, Bligh provided the overtime winner against Lawrenceville (N.J.) to highlight his sophomore season. The youngest of four brothers, Bligh grew up playing attack and has evolved into a middie who plays the wing on faceoffs and can also torment at the defensive end.

Aidan Dale

Position: Midfield  
High School: St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)  
Club: LI Express

Blazing fast, Dale has been called a right-handed Joel Tinney. He is so shifty and jittery that he can get to his right and make things happen at any time. Coaches didn’t get to see him at full strength for parts of the summer due to a hamstring injury, but Dale already impressed plenty last spring by playing as a sophomore at powerhouse St. Anthony’s.

Max Delvescovo

Position: Long Stick Midfielder  
High School: Malvern (Pa.)  
Club: Freedom

His footwork separates him from other defenders, and he’s a relentless pest to opponents he covers. Delvescovo is tenacious on the ball and a solid team defender off the ball. A calculated risk taker who makes the right plays, he can transition quickly and score the ball at an elite level for an LSM.

Casey Gilchrist

Position: Long Stick Midfielder  
High School: Massapequa (N.Y.)  
Club: Team 91 LI

Gilchrist can cover the opposition’s best threat and turn around and score in transition. He’s disruptive on the wings and between the 30s. He’s opportunistic with double teams and taking chances and is a caused turnover machine, making him one of the very best in a deep LSM class.

Andrew Grosso

Position: Faceoff Specialist  
High School: Noble & Greenough (Mass.)  
Club: 3D New England

Tough and competitive, Grosso is difficult to bump off his line. Grosso dictates at the X and might be the best at purely winning faceoffs just because he’s so good at winning the clamp. He’s good off the ground, too, and quick enough to get it back if he loses it. He’ll be highly coveted.

Weston Guerra

Position: Goalie  
High School: McDonogh (Md.)  
Club: Mad Dog

One of the top goalies in the class, Guerra has backstopped McDonogh and Mad Dog with consistent results. An Anderson Moore type who’s athletic and active around the cage, he makes all the expected saves — and then some absolutely spectacular ones. He has extremely quick hands and good size and reads the ball well. It’s a combination that has opponents second guessing before they shoot.

OJ Ika

Position: Attack  
High School: Loomis Chaffee (Conn.)  
Club: West Coast Starz

Born and raised in Utah until moving to Philadelphia two years ago, Ika is a lax rat with two siblings who played at Saint Joseph’s and a father who coached. Ika had coaches eyeing him a year ago when he played up as a lefty capable of playing attack or midfield. He brings good hands and physicality to his game and finishes his chances at a high rate.

Mason Kennedy

Position: Defense  
High School: Lassiter (Ga.)  
Club: Thunder

A mountain of a defender at 6-6 and 210 pounds but athletic enough to play LSM at the next level, Kennedy should come “off the bus first,” said one college coach of his intimidating look. Another product of a non-traditional area, Kennedy’s best days are ahead of him. He’s strong, physical and disruptive defensively while showing a very capable stick in transition.

Parker Old

Position: Attack  
High School: Upper Arlington (Ohio)  
Club: Resolute

A player from a non-traditional area, Old has continued to grow his game since first making the USA U17 Youth National Team last year. He’s back again with the U17s thanks to his versatility and ability to combine well with others. He’s a more confident player than a year ago as his game has developed, and he’s matured more. He’s a bright player who knows how to help a team win.

Landon O’Neil

Position: Attack  
High School: Tabor (Mass.)  
Club: 3D New England

With elite athleticism and strength, O’Neil already has big-time Power 4 football offers, yet he could be the best player in this lacrosse class. O’Neil isn’t as tall, but he is in the mold of a Will Yeatman. O’Neil plays linebacker on the gridiron then shows incredibly soft hands and outstanding stick work on the lacrosse field. He’s such a tough matchup that he forces teams to slide, opening opportunities for others.

Hawkes Packard

Position: Midfield
High School: St. Ignatius (Calif.)  
Club: XLC

A generational athlete according to one college coach, Packard is a California product with skill and a great lacrosse IQ who can do it all. He has next-level speed that enables him to blow by just about anyone. He can dodge and finish, and can also set up others when teams slide thanks to improved vision. His offensive game is going to be coveted by plenty of schools.

Eli Ricci

Position: Faceoff Specialist
High School: Victor (N.Y.)  
Club: Sweetlax Upstate

Another outstanding athlete who also plays football and wrestles, Ricci is a different sort of specialist. “He might be the most complete player in the class,” said a college coach. He brings solid size and unique versatility. As a sophomore, he had 46 goals for Victor. He’ll take faceoffs and stay on offense.

Ben Smith

Position: Attack 
High School: Garden City (N.Y.)  
Club: LI Express

Smith was already a good player, and a strong summer raised his stock. After putting up 73 points for Garden City in the spring and already over 100 goals in his career, Smith continued to shine in club games with some of the best shooting in the country. The lefty also can find the open man and is set up to continue to develop into a dominant attackman.

Connor Song

Position: Defense/Long Stick Midfielder
High School: Episcopal (Pa.)  
Club: Brotherly Love

Song has the strength of a defenseman and covers very well, but he also shows the intangibles of an LSM. Teams could use him a number of ways. He has the ability to play on a wing if the opponent wants to double pole a faceoff. He’s been in the USA Lacrosse National Team Development Program, making the U19 team this year after making the U17 squad a year ago.

Harrison Tyler

Position: Attack  
High School: Lawrenceville (N.J.)  
Club: LI Express

One of the real standouts of the class, Tyler put on a show with four goals against Canada West as a member of the USA U17 Youth National Team team last year. His precise footwork gives him a great starting point, and he has a huge catalog of dodges in his arsenal. Plus, he knows how to play off contact and manipulate his defenseman. He makes the right decisions and plays the team game, making him a nightmare matchup who does everything well.

Danny Verone

Position: Midfield  
High School: Christian Brothers (N.J.)  
Club: Leading Edge

A no-brainer for any school, Verone is big and strong, a prototypical big-time middie. He’s an elite shooter who gets to his right hand well. He checks every box with good movement and great hands on top of his physical attributes. He draws your attention regardless of the caliber of game he’s in and already looks college ready.