With the regular season over, the top two picks in the 2026 College Draft are set in stone, with the Utah Archers picking No. 1 overall for the first time since 2020 and the Boston Cannons picking after them at No. 2 overall.
While there certainly are some good players in this class, it lacks the offensive firepower of the 2023 and ‘24 classes. But at the pole position, it’s shaping up to be a deep class.
Read my full way-too-early 2026 PLL Draft Big Board published back in May, and stay tuned for a full mock draft following the end of the PLL season.
No. 1: Utah Archers – Eric Spanos (A/M – Maryland)
At this point in time, there’s not a clear-cut top pick in next year’s draft, but I think Spanos could emerge as a favorite after this college season.
The best offensive player on the runner-up Terrapins, Spanos plays with a physicality you would expect from a 6-foot-5, 200-pound attacker, but his game is way more than that.
Playing both attack and midfield during his time at Maryland, he has a diverse skill set offensively. He can create his own shot with speed or power from anywhere on the field and is also a terrific finisher inside.
Utah could no doubt be looking at defenders with this pick, as well, with Graeme Hossack and Warren Jeffrey being pending free agents, but it’s also aging on offense, and Spanos could be too good to pass up on with his ability to fit anywhere offensively.
No. 2: Boston Cannons – Will Donovan (LSM – Notre Dame)
The Cannons desperately need close defense help. They allowed a league-high 13.8 scores per game this season, and a lot of it had to do with breakdowns at the close defense position.
Yes, Donovan is a long-stick midfielder, but this pick would allow them to upgrade their close defense by sliding Owen Grant down, something the Cannons should have done earlier this season.
Donovan isn’t as big or physical as Grant, but he provides a lot of the same attributes. He’s a really disruptive and rangy lefty who has a knack for coming up with loose balls. Donovan has been a starter for the Fighting Irish since his freshman year, and while he’s not going to give you the same goal-scoring abilities as a guy like Jake Piseno, he’s as steady an LSM as you’ll find.
No. 3: Philadelphia Waterdogs – Aidan Maguire (SSDM – Duke)
Just how good is Maguire? He was the ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 as an SSDM.
He caused a ridiculous 26 turnovers last season (the next closest SSDM was current Chaos rookie Ray Dearth with 18) and also had 10 points (6G, 4A), including the overtime winner against Richmond.
The most pro-ready prospect in this class, Maguire not only looks the part at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, but he’s also a complete SSDM that can play lockdown defense and score in transition.
Maguire has the potential to be a special player.
No. 4: Carolina Chaos – Joey Spallina (Attack – Syracuse)
Spallina to the Chaos would be so fun.
Beyond the obvious connection to his old college teammate Owen Hiltz, Spallina’s skill set could fit in perfectly with this Carolina offense.
With Hiltz and Jackson Eicher occupying the wings, Spallina’s presence as a high-IQ player from X who is so crafty around the net would round out this attack unit nicely.
Carolina’s box-style offense predicated around quick decisions and IQ in the pick game suits Spallina perfectly, as well.
It would be an ideal landing spot for the Syracuse star.
No. 5: Maryland Whipsnakes – Will Schaller (Defense – Maryland)
Tim Muller and Matt Dunn can’t play forever, and not only is Schaller a Terrapin, but he’s also the top close defenseman on my board.
A strong lefty with elite footwork, Schaller broke out as the top defenseman for Maryland this past season, earning First-Team All-American honors.
No. 6: California Redwoods – Matt Collison (Midfield – Johns Hopkins)
The Redwoods’ last midfield spot has been a revolving door between Charlie Bertrand, Sam Handley and Cole Kirst.
Collison could prove to be an upgrade over all three of those players and would bring a physical dodging style to a midfield room filled with a ton of speed.
No. 7: New York Atlas – Chad Palumbo (Midfield – Princeton)
Palumbo is one of my favorite prospects in this draft because he’s just so fun to watch.
In a lot of ways, he’s the lefty version of Matt Traynor as a smooth dodger and excellent smarts in the two-man game.
New York has some looming decisions to make in the midfield room with its pending free agents, but Palumbo should fit right in as a lefty wing dodger who can play the two-man game with Jeff Teat along with Reid Bowering.
No. 8: Denver Outlaws – Bobby Van Buren (Defense – Ohio State)
This could very well be the last season for both Mike Manley and Jesse Bernhardt. If that’s the case, Van Buren would be a plug-and-play everyday starter for Denver.
The lefty has some of the best footwork in the game and has a strong lower body to defend physical dodgers, as well.
