2025 College Draft Prospect Profile: Levi Verch
By Zach Carey | Apr 28, 2025
Levi Verch is one of the most polarizing prospects in the 2025 College Draft presented by Q-Collar. For some, the St. Joseph’s long pole is the best defender in his class. Others don’t see him as a first-round talent.
Paul Carcaterra listed Verch as the third-best player and best defender in his April 4 big board. The PLL’s Adam Lamberti has Verch 12th and the third-best long-stick defender. Inside Lacrosse’s Kevin Brown ranks Verch eighth overall and first among defenders.
What makes Verch pop is his playmaking ability in the middle of the field and when the ball is on the ground. He’s an expert as a faceoff wing and in transition with the size to lay the lumber on any unsuspecting opponents in his path. Verch is a caused-turnover machine. His 2.08 per game are the eighth-most in the country.
The British Columbia native stands 6-foot-2, 219 pounds with surprising speed (for his size) when he gets the ball on a clear and can turn upfield. He’s also savvy as a team defender, consistently winning run-out battles by anticipating shots and getting a jump when defending off-ball around the cage.
The question for Verch is his positional fit at the next level and how he’ll adapt to defending professional offensive players. To get the most from his talent as an agent of chaos, using him on faceoff wings and as a long-stick midfielder makes the most sense. Does he have the lateral quickness and change of direction to run with a charging midfielder out of the box, though?
Where Verch’s bulk could be most advantageous in the PLL is as a thumping close defender who can take on matchups against bruising attackmen such as Brennan O’Neill and Matt Rambo. He could also be a quality off-ball defender. Yet would starting him down low limit his impact? These are the questions general managers are likely grappling with ahead of the draft on May 6.
Levi Verch’s Player Comparison: Mason Woodward
Verch fits a very similar mold that Woodward did coming out of college last summer. Both are vacuums when the ball is on the ground, can make plays in transition and are takeaway artists who played both LSM and close in college.
The uncertainty around Woodward last May was rooted in questions about his ability to win a one-on-one matchup either up top or down low. That’s the concern I have about Verch, as well. He’s played for Team Canada’s junior ranks for years and has plenty of experience guarding some of the best players in the game. It’s entirely possible that, like Woodward, Verch proves he’s a sound cover defender as a rookie and puts any such critiques to bed.
Carey’s projected draft pick: No. 7 to the Maryland Whipsnakes
Following Michael Ehrhardt’s retirement after the 2023 season, Maryland could use some firepower from a pole in the middle of the field. Colin Squires has proven himself to be a good cover LSM and, with lockdown close guys in Matt Dunn and Ajax Zappitello, the Whips can afford to bet on Verch’s playmaking upside in the first round.
