Zappitello isn’t the king of caused turnovers. But he’s still averaged 1.57 per game in his three years as a starter. He’s not a flashy playmaker. Yet he’s capable in transition with four goals and five assists in his time in College Park. 

The concern is he might not be around for Utah at eight overall. If he is, the Terp would be a no-brainer selection. He’s also the type of talent that could be worth trading up to get. Carolina’s pick at no. 4 overall could be the one to target. Utah has a stacked roster, so shipping off a late-round pick to Andy Towers and company would be a reasonable price.

Kenny Brower, Duke

As true close prospects go, Brower sits as the 1B to Zappitello’s 1A in the 2024 class. There’s no question he’ll enter the league and immediately be a lockdown defender. He has the same degree of big-game pedigree as Zappitello, but fits a different mold of defender. 

Brower thrives in tight when he can use his 6-foot-2 and 215-pound frame to his advantage. His length is particularly apparent on film. At times he might lose a step to the elite change-of-direction attackmen. But he’s savvy enough to mitigate the damage. 

Brower doesn’t jump off the page as a playmaker. He has zero points across his five-year Duke career and fewer caused turnovers than games played. That said, he doesn’t make mistakes, is rarely beaten, and has traits which will immediately apply to the pro game. 

The Duke product is similar to Warren Jeffrey and Graeme Hossack. Perhaps too similar. In the past, the Archers have prioritized bigger, bulkier close defenders. Yet, with the diversity of offensive talent in this league, Zappitello would make the better fit as a counter to those lefty bruisers.

Jake Piseno, UAlbany

If Zappitello and Brower are the traditional best close prospects in this draft class, Albany’s Jake Piseno is the absolute wild card. Piseno has taken college lacrosse by storm this spring. 

The 5-foot-8 and 180-pound pole is a menace of a player. He ranks second in the country in caused turnovers per game and fifth among defenders in ground balls per contest. Despite his size, he’s everywhere on the field. His stick is permanently in the passing lanes, and his bag of takeaway checks is the deepest in the game. Piseno also has 10 goals, four assists, and a 35.7% shooting percentage. He is the most skilled long pole in college lacrosse, and even takes runs as a part of Albany’s power play unit. 

Piseno projects as more of an LSM in the PLL, so his fit as the McMahon replacement is uncertain. But he’s a great close defender too. He thrived playing close for Albany and for the Haudenosaunee at the World Games.

Although he might fit better at LSM, starting down low doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to play a part in transition. Plus the 32-second shot clock means it could be valuable to have him as a non-traditional offensive threat after faceoffs.