With the 2025 NCAA lacrosse season starting on Saturday, I'm releasing my Big Board 1.0 for the 2025 College Draft. I call it Big Board 1.0 because while we have a good idea of who might be at the top of the draft, this board will certainly look different in a few months.

No. 1: CJ Kirst (Attack - Cornell)

He’s been atop opposing teams’ scouting reports since his freshman year, but they still can’t figure out how to stop him. Kirst possesses all the tools you want in an elite attackman, and on top of that, he’s an elite competitor. 

No. 2: Chris Kavanagh (Attack - Notre Dame)

An electrifying righty gunslinger and dodger who thrives when the lights are brightest. Now the QB1 of the Fighting Irish with brother Pat graduated, Kavanagh has a chance to show his command of the offense this year more so than in years past.

No. 3: Ben Wayer (LSM - Virginia)

The poster boy for the modern LSM: an offensive-minded pole who is a menace in the middle of the field and never takes a shift off. Wayer has immense upside in the PLL.

No. 4: Brendan Lavelle (Defense - UPenn)

Unanimous first-team All-American who can absolutely erase a top attacker. Just ask Brennan O’Neill what happened last year.

No. 5: Sam King (Attack - Harvard)

The X attackman who’ll make defenders dread every second spent covering him. King likes to bully his way to his right hand or drive to his left to set up his picture-perfect question mark move. His defender knows what to expect. But it doesn’t matter — he’s still finding a way to score. 

No. 6: Andrew McAdorey (Midfield - Duke)

A blur of speed — an elite athlete who is impossible to cover in space and can make things happen offensively in the blink of an eye.

No. 7: Jake Taylor (Attack - Notre Dame)

A world-class off-ball scorer. Put Taylor in the right offense, and he’s putting up 25-plus goals without breaking a sweat. Think Jay Carlson on a Celsius.

No. 8: Sam English (Midfield - Syracuse)

Quick as lightning and crafty in the two-man game. English can beat defenders with speed and deception (or both) and also projects as a massive weapon off the faceoff wings.

No. 9: Ben Ramsey (SSDM - Notre Dame)

An elite SSDM who could make an All-Star appearance in his rookie year. Ramsey has striking similarities to the Boston Cannons’ Zach Goodrich with his ability to create turnovers with his strength. And who doesn’t want a Zach Goodrich on their team?!

No. 10: Levi Verch (LSM/Defense - Saint Joseph’s)

A vacuum off the ground and super disruptive, especially in getting his stick in the passing lanes, Verch is a really skilled and confident pole who would be a welcomed addition to any team.

No. 11: Owen Hiltz (Attack - Syracuse)

Can throw a pinpoint pass or find a corner with the flick of a wrist. Great understanding of the offense and keeps the ball hot. While not the player Jeff Teat is, Hiltz’s game definitely resembles Teat’s in terms of his shooting and feeding ability, but more importantly in his unselfishness and ability to make the offense go. 

No. 12: Coulter Mackesy (Attack - Princeton)

Crafty lefty dodger who is as smart as he is skilled. Mackesy can beat you with a variety of moves and has a silky release from the left wing that usually finds the net.

No. 13: Scott Smith (Defense - Johns Hopkins)

A first-team All-American in 2024 who will never leave his attacker alone. A consistent pest, Smith is always in the gloves of offensive players and looking to make life difficult.

No. 14: Jimmy Freehill (Defense - Denver)

Tall, lanky defender who has the feet to defend quicker attackers, as well. Dodgers better have their heads on a swivel — Freehill is coming to hunt doubles and can cover ground fast.

No. 15: Griffin Schutz (Midfield - Virginia)

Monster of a midfielder who has a fluidness to his game you might not expect — think of a heavyweight boxer who's light on his feet. Schutz can score with either hand, and he’ll let you know about it, too.

No. 16: Jack Fracyon (Goalie - Penn State)

Uber-talented ball stopper with a steadiness and consistency to his game that would be welcomed by any PLL club. For now, I have Fracyon slightly above Emmet Carroll as the top goalie in the class.

No. 17: Emmet Carroll (Goalie - UPenn)

See? Carroll’s not too far behind. He led the nation in save percentage in 2024 and fools shooters with a wide stance and quick reactions, particularly from in tight or lower angles.

No. 18: Colin Mulshine (Defense - Princeton)

Another strong righty, Mulshine understands angles and players' tendencies well. He's been a large part of Princeton’s success as a four-year starter and projects as a nice second or third  defender in the PLL rather than the top cover guy.

No. 19: Matt Traynor (Attack/Midfield - Penn State)

Versatile offensive player who has one of the snappiest releases in lacrosse and moves super well off-ball. When Traynor gets hot, he can score in bunches like an NBA spot shooter (had three games with five-plus goals in 2024).

No. 20: Devon McLane (Midfield - Notre Dame)

One of the savviest players in the draft, with a terrific understanding of spacing and how to use the pick game. McLane is automatic from midrange and has zero wasted motion on his catch and release.

No. 21: Mike Grace (LSM/Defense - Syracuse)

A graduate transfer from RIT, the 6-foot-5 pole can cause mayhem in the middle of the field with his range. Grace is a really intriguing prospect who could soar up this board in a few months.

No. 22: Jack Stuzin (LSM/Defense - Yale)

Offensive-minded pole who's not shy about pulling it. Aspects of Stuzin's game remind me of Troy Reh.

No. 23: Casey Wilson (SSDM - Denver)

A converted offensive midfielder who has blossomed into a top SSDM for one of the nation’s best defenses. Wilson highlighted his transition ability last season with a three-point outing (2G, 1A) against Michigan in the NCAA tournament.

No. 24: Bobby Van Buren (Defense - Ohio State)*

Strong lefty who will win at the island. Van Buren is a warrior with strong legs to drive attackers out of dangerous areas.

*Van Buren will likely have another year of eligibility if he wants it after only playing three games before a season-ending injury in 2024. 

No. 25: Jack Gray (SSDM - Duke)

A strong and athletic defensive midfielder from the nation’s most competitive conference? I think Gray will do just fine in the PLL.

No. 26: Max Krevsky (Midfield - Yale)

Primarily an offensive midfielder for Yale, Krevsky has risen on my board in the past few months. He has the athletic traits and competitiveness to become a two-way darling in the PLL. 

No. 27: Patrick Hackler (SSDM - Johns Hopkins)

In a class filled with two-way midfielders, Hackler has been one of the standouts at his position for some time. Playing on the first midfield line for Yale in 2024 helped his versatility, as well. Projects as primarily an SSDM in his graduate year at Johns Hopkins.

No. 28: Dylan Hess (SSDM - Georgetown/Florida)

Monster of an SSDM whom dodgers will think twice about getting into the body of. A fourth-round pick in the 2024 College Draft, Hess is now playing club lacrosse at Florida, so he can be reselected for this draft, similar to Teat and Levi Anderson. 

No. 29: AJ Pilate (Defense - Army)

Pilate could be way higher on this list as a shutdown lefty defender who loves competing every second against the opposition’s best player, but his military commitments drop him lower.

No. 30: Will Coletti (Faceoff - Army)

Similar to Pilate, Coletti is my top faceoff man in this draft but has looming question marks about what his playing future will look like. That being said, if he’s available, his confidence and swagger remind me a lot of Luke Wierman.

No. 31: Aidan Carroll (Attack - Georgetown) 

Carroll has grown into an elite and clutch attackman at Georgetown. His overhand release is as pretty as you’ll find in the nation, and has played both midfield and attack as a Hoya. He’s a guy who can easily crack a PLL roster if given a chance.

No. 32: Ryan Cohen (Attack - Michigan)

Undersized attackman similar to former teammate Michael Boehm. Cohen is an elite passer and dodger who is QB1 for the Wolverines this season. I love the way the lefty can play a multitude of roles in an offense, from a quarterback to jump-starting the offense out of the box.

No. 33: Hugh Kelleher (Midfield - Cornell)*

Bruising midfielder who wants to run you over and possesses a hammer of a step-down shot. Kelleher burst onto the scene during Cornell’s run to Championship Weekend in 2022 and will be a big factor in whether Cornell can get back there in 2025.

*Reported to enter portal to play football as a graduate transfer by Ty Xanders.

No. 34: Kevin Parnham (Defense - Penn State)

Parnham has played for what feels like forever in the Big Ten. Instituctual and equipped with excellent feet and well-timed checks, the lefty was chosen to wear the No. 16 jersey this season at Penn State. Since 2016, the jersey has been awarded to a senior who best represents the "Heart of a Competitor" in honor of Connor Darcey, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2015, a testament to his work ethic and character.

No. 35: Will Lynch (Faceoff - Notre Dame)

The two-time national champion keeps improving every year, which is impressive considering Lynch is already one of the best faceoff men in the country. Already playing on the sport’s biggest stage twice, Lynch has made some clutch plays throughout his tenure in South Bend.

No. 36: Pace Billings (LSM - Michigan)

Battle-tested LSM who has guarded some premier players in college and has experience defending down low, as well.

No. 37: Greg Campisi (LSM - Notre Dame)

Ultra-fast LSM who is terrific off the ground — good luck catching him once he corrals the loose ball. Campisi has the chance to climb up draft boards with a big year in the ACC after transferring from Harvard. 

No. 38: Michael Long (Attack - Cornell)

Two-handed with elite vision and finishing ability — the prototypical X attackman who makes everything go. CJ Kirst steals the spotlight for the Big Red, but Long can be just as productive and rarely makes mistakes.

No. 39: Mic Kelly (Midfield - Denver)

Skilled righty midfielder who has shades of Jack Hannah to his game as an American playing with a Canadian flare in Denver’s offense. One of the biggest stock risers in the last year.

No. 40: Logan McNaney (Goalie - Maryland)

Undersized but skilled goalie who can make hard saves look easy. McNaney is infuriating for shooters when he is on. There’s not a moment too big for the 2022 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

No. 41: Michael Gianfrocaro (Goalie - UNC)

Another goalie who, when he’s seeing shots that day, is as tough to beat as any. Gianfrocaro has a chance to help UNC rebound and make the NCAA tournament after a great career at Princeton.

No. 42: Colin Burlace (Defense - Maryland)

Wants to inflict pain with big-time hits — dodge to the middle of the field cautiously. Burlace is another product from the Maryland defensive pipeline.

No. 43: Russell Melendez (Attack - Johns Hopkins)

Innovative attacker who has been inconsistent at times, but his potential and creativity match that of any top attacker in the country. Behind-the-backs, pump fakes and backhands all look routine to Melendez. He's efficient in transition and isn’t afraid to take a hit.

No. 44: Eric Malever (Attack - Duke)

Bring your ankle tape when guarding Malever. The shifty X attackman battled injuries at Maryland but showed glimpses of being a game-changing player. He could have a career year in Duke’s offense in 2025.

No. 45: Matt Licata (Attack - Villanova)

Slick X attackman who can attack quickly to either side of the cage. One of the best players in the Big East for a while now, Licata is starting to garner national recognition as such. He's just a very difficult cover.

No. 46: Jack Aimone (Midfield - Penn State)

A two-handed step-down shooter who could have a big year for the Nittany Lions. Aimone is capable of bringing it on the run, too, with the left hand, but shooting with his feet set is what he’s best at.

No. 47: Gannon Matthews (Midfield - Ohio State)

Right-handed alley dodges are Matthews’ calling card. A great athlete by way of Idaho, Matthews was the go-to guy early on for the Buckeyes and is really difficult to stop when he gets downhill.

No. 48: Noah Armitage (Midfield - Maryland)

Strong lefty Canadian who could move up the board if he becomes a go-to offensive option for the Terps in 2025 after finishing his career at Stony Brook.

No. 49: Aiden Blake (Midfield - Duke)

Two-way midfield potential with ideal size and athleticism. Blake was forced into a defensive midfield role at Cornell last season due to injury, but I anticipate seeing him more on the offense end at Duke.

No. 50: Rory Connor (Attack - Colgate)

Balanced scorer and feeder on an ascending Colgate Raiders offense. Connor makes play after play and isn’t afraid to take the ball through the heart of the defense.

Watchlist:

Sean Cameron (Midfield - Princeton)

Paul Barton (Defense - UNC)

Andrew O'Berry (SSDM - UNC)

Michael Bath (Defense - Princeton)

Ty English (Midfield - UNC)

Cam Rubin (Midfield - UPenn)

Dylan Bauer (Attack/Midfield - Johns Hopkins)

Noah Chizmar (SSDM - Virginia)

Jayson Singer (Defense - Cornell)*

*Reported to enter portal to play football as a graduate transfer by Ty Xanders

Zack Goorno (SSDM - Maryland)

Bobby O’Grady (Attack - Marquette)

Kyle Aldridge (SSDM - Penn State)

Tynan Walsh (Attack - UPenn)

Luke Grayum (Attack - Duke)

Ryan Bell (Attack - Providence)

Max Yates (LSM - Colgate)

Christopher Davis (SSDM - Cornell)*

*Davis will likely have another year of eligibility if he wants it after only playing five games before a season-ending injury in 2024. 

Sam Morin (LSM - Towson)

Zach Vigue (Goalie - Richmond)

Tommy Stull (LSM - Richmond)

Michael Alexander (Defense - Yale)

Keith Boyer (Defense - Duke)

Jackson Canfield (Defense - Maryland)