Tabor Academy (Mass.) and 3d New England lacrosse star Landen O’Neil — a two-sport college prospect and the No. 1-ranked recruit in the high school class of 2028, according to Inside Lacrosse and Prep Lacrosse — announced on social media Saturday that he has committed to Duke.
A lefty attackman, O’Neil led the Independent School league with 62 goals and 57 assists as a sophomore this year, leading the Seawolves to the league championship and winning the Ned Herter ISL Player of the Year award.
At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he’s a matchup nightmare who also has a scholarship offer from Duke to play football. He’s rated as a three-star linebacker. Boston College, Cornell, Michigan, North Carolina and UMass were his other Division I football suitors.
O’Neil’s Instagram post announcing his decision made no reference to Duke football, though it’s not unprecedented to play both sports in Durham. Faceoff man Brendan Fowler and midfielder Nakeie Montgomery doubled up during their college careers, Fowler as a linebacker and Montgomery as a running back for the Blue Devils. Both went on to play professional lacrosse.
Recruiting season has gone exceptionally well for Duke. In addition to O’Neil, the Blue Devils have commitments three other top-10 recruits, according to Inside Lacrosse. Attackmen Danny Varone (No. 3) and PJ Kennedy (No. 6) and long-stick midfielder Casey Gilchrist (No. 10) also have committed to Duke.
College coaches started contacting high school juniors Sept. 9. O’Neil was the No. 2-ranked recruit in the National Lacrosse Federation rankings, which differed from Inside Lacrosse and Prep Lacrosse by putting Lawrenceville (N.J.) and Long Island Express attackman Harrison Tyler in the No. 1 spot. Tyler committed to Notre Dame on Sept. 15.
