2026 Recruiting | Page 22 | Syracusefan.com

2026 Recruiting

Two recent top 100 commits -

No. 81 Michael Marino, Defense, Don Bosco (NJ) - Richmond
No. 92 James Whitehorse, Attack, Culver (IN) - Virginia

The following Top 100 commits remain on the board -

No. 45 Chase Smith, LSM, Blue Ridge School (VA)
No. 56 Jake Ivancevic, D, The Benjamin School (FL)
No 76 Jacob Fedich, LSM, Green Level (NC)
No 77 Ian Smith, M, The Milton School (MA)
No. 85 Cooper Kuehl, M, Bullis (DC)

There are 21 additional uncommitted Four Stars as well.

The SU class has nine players so far (2 Attack, 4 Midfield, 2 Defense, 1 Face-off). Given the small number of recruits they have for the '25 class (just eight players), I have to imagine they aren't done for this cycle. Not sure what they will target, but defense, LSMs in particular, should probably be an area of interest. Also, given that they are bringing in only Jake Meyers as an attackman in '25, they also might want to target that spot. Midfield feels pretty safe, but I've been proven wrong in that department already.
 
Powellfan said:
Two recent top 100 commits -

No. 81 Michael Marino, Defense, Don Bosco (NJ) - Richmond
No. 92 James Whitehorse, Attack, Culver (IN) - Virginia

The following Top 100 commits remain on the board -

No. 45 Chase Smith, LSM, Blue Ridge School (VA)
No. 56 Jake Ivancevic, D, The Benjamin School (FL)
No 76 Jacob Fedich, LSM, Green Level (NC)
No 77 Ian Smith, M, The Milton School (MA)
No. 85 Cooper Kuehl, M, Bullis (DC)

There are 21 additional uncommitted Four Stars as well.

The SU class has nine players so far (2 Attack, 4 Midfield, 2 Defense, 1 Face-off). Given the small number of recruits they have for the '25 class (just eight players), I have to imagine they aren't done for this cycle. Not sure what they will target, but defense, LSMs in particular, should probably be an area of interest. Also, given that they are bringing in only Jake Meyers as an attackman in '25, they also might want to target that spot. Midfield feels pretty safe, but I've been proven wrong in that department already.
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I believe that Whitehorse is the first Native American recruited to UVA by Lars. He looks to be the only lefty attack verballed to UVA in their ‘25 & ‘26 classes, though Kyle Colsey is obviously redshirting & will effectively join the ‘25 class.

Chase Smith is a name to keep an eye on given that he’s a Toronto native who played his rookie OLA Jr. A season with the Beaches this summer. Similar profile to Donny Scott as a lefty indoor defender & field pole.
 
W'boro'Cuse315 said:
I believe that Whitehorse is the first Native American recruited to UVA by Lars. He looks to be the only lefty attack verballed to UVA in their ‘25 & ‘26 classes, though Kyle Colsey is obviously redshirting & will effectively join the ‘25 class.

Chase Smith is a name to keep an eye on given that he’s a Toronto native who played his rookie OLA Jr. A season with the Beaches this summer. Similar profile to Donny Scott as a lefty indoor defender & field pole.
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Did Lars recruit Zed to UVA?
 
W'boro'Cuse315 said:
I believe that Whitehorse is the first Native American recruited to UVA by Lars. He looks to be the only lefty attack verballed to UVA in their ‘25 & ‘26 classes, though Kyle Colsey is obviously redshirting & will effectively join the ‘25 class.

Chase Smith is a name to keep an eye on given that he’s a Toronto native who played his rookie OLA Jr. A season with the Beaches this summer. Similar profile to Donny Scott as a lefty indoor defender & field pole.
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Is Dorm Starsia still coaching at the Blue Ridge School? Always great to snag kids that have had exposure to high level coaching.
 
W'boro'Cuse315 said:
Chase Smith is a name to keep an eye on given that he’s a Toronto native who played his rookie OLA Jr. A season with the Beaches this summer. Similar profile to Donny Scott as a lefty indoor defender & field pole.
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i dont believe cuse is in the mix for him
 
Powellfan said:
Two recent top 100 commits -

No. 81 Michael Marino, Defense, Don Bosco (NJ) - Richmond
No. 92 James Whitehorse, Attack, Culver (IN) - Virginia

The following Top 100 commits remain on the board -

No. 45 Chase Smith, LSM, Blue Ridge School (VA)
No. 56 Jake Ivancevic, D, The Benjamin School (FL)
No 76 Jacob Fedich, LSM, Green Level (NC)
No 77 Ian Smith, M, The Milton School (MA)
No. 85 Cooper Kuehl, M, Bullis (DC)

There are 21 additional uncommitted Four Stars as well.

The SU class has nine players so far (2 Attack, 4 Midfield, 2 Defense, 1 Face-off). Given the small number of recruits they have for the '25 class (just eight players), I have to imagine they aren't done for this cycle. Not sure what they will target, but defense, LSMs in particular, should probably be an area of interest. Also, given that they are bringing in only Jake Meyers as an attackman in '25, they also might want to target that spot. Midfield feels pretty safe, but I've been proven wrong in that department already.
Expand...
Would like another high end middie given all the offensive departures in ‘26. Feel like we never do well recruiting Massachusetts. I know Mullen is from there, but it’s a pretty talent rich state and can’t think of many that have had a big impact at Cuse
 
OttosDad said:
Would like another high end middie given all the offensive departures in ‘26. Feel like we never do well recruiting Massachusetts. I know Mullen is from there, but it’s a pretty talent rich state and can’t think of many that have had a big impact at Cuse
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Jimmy McCool and Carter Rice are both from Mass. Two potential starters isn’t bad. But yeah, historically it hasn’t been a hotbed for Syracuse. Hakeem Lecky and Jay McDermott from Duxbury few years ago. Matt Bontaties from Marblehead way back in the day. Hopefully it improves as it does seem like a region that is really on the rise.

I think the midfield looks to be in pretty good shape. They have Hahn as a five star, then six more four stars in the ‘25 and ‘26 classes. I’m personally more interested in the attack spot. Obviously Spallina will need replacing as the quarterback. Is it Meyers or Rodriguez? Those will obviously be big shoes to fill. Having another four star in the mix would make me feel a lot better.
 
So much for that one. It really seems like we start discussing an uncommitted player and suddenly they commit. Do we have super powers?

 
No. 56Jake Ivancevic (defense, The Benjamin School) is now the only Power 100 recruit left uncommitted.

Some recent commits -

No 76 Jacob Fedich, LSM, Green Level (NC) - Maryland
No 77 Ian Smith, M, The Milton School (MA) - Brown
No. 85 Cooper Kuehl, M, Bullis (DC) - Penn

Syracuse seems to still need at least one long stick. I think Joe Filardi is incorrectly labeled a defenseman in the IL database (he should be an LSM), but that still leaves only one other longstick in the '25 class (Lois D'Agostnio).

In addition to Ivancevic, there are six other four star defenders. There are only two four star LSMs. Very curious to see if SU makes a move here.
 
Powellfan said:
No. 56Jake Ivancevic (defense, The Benjamin School) is now the only Power 100 recruit left uncommitted.

Some recent commits -

No 76 Jacob Fedich, LSM, Green Level (NC) - Maryland
No 77 Ian Smith, M, The Milton School (MA) - Brown
No. 85 Cooper Kuehl, M, Bullis (DC) - Penn

Syracuse seems to still need at least one long stick. I think Joe Filardi is incorrectly labeled a defenseman in the IL database (he should be an LSM), but that still leaves only one other longstick in the '25 class (Lois D'Agostnio).

In addition to Ivancevic, there are six other four star defenders. There are only two four star LSMs. Very curious to see if SU makes a move here.
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Perfetti was converted from a Mid to a pole pretty recently (He was on the 23 summer circuit as both an offensive midfielder for one club and a pole for another) so I wonder if they project him as a LSM?
 
GrowTheGame said:
Perfetti was converted from a Mid to a pole pretty recently (He was on the 23 summer circuit as both an offensive midfielder for one club and a pole for another) so I wonder if they project him as a LSM?
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That's a good point. In the clips I saw from him this summer, it looks like he's playing close defense, but there are lots of instances of him charging up the field. Still, only four long poles in two recruiting classes seems really low.
 
Powellfan said:
That's a good point. In the clips I saw from him this summer, it looks like he's playing close defense, but there are lots of instances of him charging up the field. Still, only four long poles in two recruiting classes seems really low.
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Agreed and wondering if that’s pointing to one of three things:

1. They just plan on brining in another pole or two and it’s just not announced yet
2. With roster cuts happening and roster caps also coming soon maybe that has something to do with it?
3. 2026’s seem to be the last “COVID class” where the talent might be lacking overall compared to the top 100 and so Cuse could be trying to bring in a haul between the 27-28 classes with the depth that is seemingly there compared to the 24-26 classes?
 
GrowTheGame said:
Agreed and wondering if that’s pointing to one of three things:

1. They just plan on brining in another pole or two and it’s just not announced yet
2. With roster cuts happening and roster caps also coming soon maybe that has something to do with it?
3. 2026’s seem to be the last “COVID class” where the talent might be lacking overall compared to the top 100 and so Cuse could be trying to bring in a haul between the 27-28 classes with the depth that is seemingly there compared to the 24-26 classes?
Expand...

Best guess is it's a combination of all the things you mention above. I think roster limits have a good deal to it, though I think that might be from internal pressure more than the NCAA. A breakdown of the number of recruits all the ACC schools are bringing in for the '24-'26 classes are as follows -

School - '24/'25/'26/Total
Duke - 10/9/11/30
UNC - 10/12/12/34
Notre Dame - 12/13/10/35
Syracuse - 11/8/9/28
Virginia - 10/9/11/30

The Orange are bringing in the smallest number of players and their class of '25 is the smallest with eight members. With the other teams bringing in top 5 classes pretty much every year, SU has to find an edge somehow. They are due to have 44 players on the roster by the time the '26 class shows up on campus. Perhaps they are keeping spots open for potential transfers, or potential flips. I'm not sure.

Given the amount of talent they lose with the '22 class graduating, I thought this cycle would the one where they re-loaded with a bigger than most class. Perhaps you are right about it being the '27-'28 classes instead. They are clearly bringing in a good class - ranked fifth by IL - I just am surprised it's not bigger. It feels foolhardy to try and predict rosters in two years, but its the offseason and I'm not doing anything else.
 
Powellfan said:
Best guess is it's a combination of all the things you mention above. I think roster limits have a good deal to it, though I think that might be from internal pressure more than the NCAA. A breakdown of the number of recruits all the ACC schools are bringing in for the '24-'26 classes are as follows -

School - '24/'25/'26/Total
Duke - 10/9/11/30
UNC - 10/12/12/34
Notre Dame - 12/13/10/35
Syracuse - 11/8/9/28
Virginia - 10/9/11/30

The Orange are bringing in the smallest number of players and their class of '25 is the smallest with eight members. With the other teams bringing in top 5 classes pretty much every year, SU has to find an edge somehow. They are due to have 44 players on the roster by the time the '26 class shows up on campus. Perhaps they are keeping spots open for potential transfers, or potential flips. I'm not sure.

Given the amount of talent they lose with the '22 class graduating, I thought this cycle would the one where they re-loaded with a bigger than most class. Perhaps you are right about it being the '27-'28 classes instead. They are clearly bringing in a good class - ranked fifth by IL - I just am surprised it's not bigger. It feels foolhardy to try and predict rosters in two years, but its the offseason and I'm not doing anything else.
Expand...
We have our priority recruits. Does not feel right to make the class much bigger now since literally all the top talent is off the board. I assume we are just leaving room for potential flips as these guys get closer to their actual signing day next year. Maybe we get a couple more in the next week, but it is guaranteed to be an under the radar type of player, and not a sure game changer. Quality much more important than quantity at this stage and we have the quality.
 
DoctahLexus said:
We have our priority recruits. Does not feel right to make the class much bigger now since literally all the top talent is off the board. I assume we are just leaving room for potential flips as these guys get closer to their actual signing day next year. Maybe we get a couple more in the next week, but it is guaranteed to be an under the radar type of player, and not a sure game changer. Quality much more important than quantity at this stage and we have the quality.
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I was about to say something to the tune of this, while it’s a different strategy perhaps they’re practicing LEAN methodology haha Quality > Quantity = greater ROI in cost savings and team morale

Why bring in a surplus of guys who you know won’t ever break into a meaningful role with new 5* + 4* recruits coming in YoY to shape out the lineups? They are costing the same budget wise in equipment/travel/etc (sans scholarship price), and ultimately transfer out and/or are unhappy with their role which in turn effects the locker room. I guess one could argue depth helps injury crises, but I’m not sure that outweighs the other pieces from the lens of the HC/AD when they’re talking in their 1:1’s.

Given the data on class sizes, and based on the past few season, it does seem like Cuse’s short term strategy right now aims to supplement those freshman numbers w/ transfers (higher ROI and less risk as you have college tape/know their quality at this level).
 
GrowTheGame said:
I was about to say something to the tune of this, while it’s a different strategy perhaps they’re practicing LEAN methodology haha Quality > Quantity = greater ROI in cost savings and team morale

Why bring in a surplus of guys who you know won’t ever break into a meaningful role with new 5* + 4* recruits coming in YoY to shape out the lineups? They are costing the same budget wise in equipment/travel/etc (sans scholarship price), and ultimately transfer out and/or are unhappy with their role which in turn effects the locker room. I guess one could argue depth helps injury crises, but I’m not sure that outweighs the other pieces from the lens of the HC/AD when they’re talking in their 1:1’s.

Given the data on class sizes, and based on the past few season, it does seem like Cuse’s short term strategy right now aims to supplement those freshman numbers w/ transfers (higher ROI and less risk as you have college tape/know their quality at this level).
Expand...

Yes, all good points. I'm sure that having a smaller class is something that encouraged the recruits that did commit that they would be a priority to the coaching staff, and have less competition to playing time. Syracuse will have to do things a bit differently, so that makes sense.

I wasn't trying to say that they need to bring in a class of 15 kids, just maybe 11 or 12. Especially given that the last year's class was so small.

And to DoctorLexus' point, there are still good players out there. 20 total four star players according to the IL database. I haven't watched tape on all of them, but the ones I did were impressive. I would think, if the rest of the ACC has closed up shop on the recruiting front, SU could take advantage of that and get a few "best of the rest". That could still happen.
 
Powellfan said:
Best guess is it's a combination of all the things you mention above. I think roster limits have a good deal to it, though I think that might be from internal pressure more than the NCAA. A breakdown of the number of recruits all the ACC schools are bringing in for the '24-'26 classes are as follows -

School - '24/'25/'26/Total
Duke - 10/9/11/30
UNC - 10/12/12/34
Notre Dame - 12/13/10/35
Syracuse - 11/8/9/28
Virginia - 10/9/11/30

The Orange are bringing in the smallest number of players and their class of '25 is the smallest with eight members. With the other teams bringing in top 5 classes pretty much every year, SU has to find an edge somehow. They are due to have 44 players on the roster by the time the '26 class shows up on campus. Perhaps they are keeping spots open for potential transfers, or potential flips. I'm not sure.

Given the amount of talent they lose with the '22 class graduating, I thought this cycle would the one where they re-loaded with a bigger than most class. Perhaps you are right about it being the '27-'28 classes instead. They are clearly bringing in a good class - ranked fifth by IL - I just am surprised it's not bigger. It feels foolhardy to try and predict rosters in two years, but its the offseason and I'm not doing anything else.
Expand...
yeah, 2 years out, what could change?
if it's 44 and 28, that means 16 for the following class? that's a big lift. and it's not including any guys that don't stick around for all that time.

depending on how the House settlement goes, that could impact the amount of redshirting that goes on anywhere.

i would guess 'cuse gets another 1 or 2 unless he's been told the number needs to come in under 48.
 
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