2027 Recruiting

[Cuse On 3]

John is recruiting just fine on the defensive side. I’m worried about March after this 2027 class

 

[Ozone!]

Other schools don't need to "badmouth" our staff, they just have a few advantages to their pitch, and in some instances, work a tad harder than some on our staff when it comes to delivering that pitch. The whole weather/academic/social side of things when compared to southern schools has been that way forever, the further from '09 we get, the less these kids and their families (or the staff) have to point to for tangible success with the program. Was nice to finally get back to MD weekend, but to act like that was going to have a large impact on this class is missing the larger point. The ground work needed to be laid far in advance of what happened last May and however you dress it up, or explain it, doesn't change the fact they needed to bring in high end offensive talent in this class (especially attack), and they watched the large majority of that talent go to direct rivals in their conference (and an all time class built by the guy who put together their last "great class"). I dont know enough specifically about how they go about their business on the trail but the proof is in the pudding at the end of the day and however its happening, they aren't closing on anywhere close to enough of the highest end talent, especially on offense, being coached by at worst one of the top 3-4 players in the sports modern history. I've heard Gary is more the "hands off/CEO" type of coach, and thats cool, and that can work in Football with a roster of over 100 guys, and needing to find 22 starters each week. That doesn't work here with lax, or not to the level he thinks it does, clearly. Sorry for the rant but it was pretty depressing reloading the page every few hours for a week and watching top players they were supposedly in on picking anywhere BUT SU.

To truly understand southern schools; it’s helpful to live there. I now live in Florida. Yes the weather is typically good( however there are the hurricanes,

Also, Florida is very backward thinking which may not appeal to all players. Many minority race players may not feel as welcome once.they wander off campus. The whole student experience must be considered. IMO

 

[ColdAnger]

John is recruiting just fine on the defensive side. I’m worried about March after this 2027 class

Honest questions regarding top tier attack talent:

Regarding prior classes: How many top guys want to play in the shadow of a Kavanaugh, O’Neil, Millon, Spallina?

As to the 26/27 classes: And how long is the hangover if you don’t have Kavanaugh level success?

 

[nyclax]

We're not losing kids to "peers." Moe Sobel wants a career in sports, and we have a good program for that. If these kids wanted to be journalist or media moguls, we'd be all over it. There is no other way we lose recruits.

not sure about that...in this class alone cuse lost out on multiple recruits that they wanted to maryland, ohio state, and penn state

so its not just the high end academic schools with funnels to wall street...though collectively they do account for a lot.

 

[CuseMan4]

This class and the last couple of classes are fine. Are they great classes? No are they bad classes? No. They are good classes and most teams in college lacrosse would kill do our classes the last 3 years. Have to remember too. Where we might not hit on every prospect or do as well as we want at every position we have the portal still. We have good high school talent coming in the next few classes with some studs. I understand the class isn’t the Joey, Rhoa, etc…class but we still have some studs in these next few classes and some younger studs on the team currently. The sky isn’t falling. We are more than fine lol

 

[JeremyCuse]

Not sure who the high 4 star mids were in 23 besides maybe Hottle. And then in 24 when we improved but did not make the playoffs he brings in another solid but not mind blowing group. If he was so great for us then why was this not a major recruiting class now that he got settled and we had a solid year? Shouldn't things have been clearly trending up? Then it is just a fact that our defensive recruits and recruits as a whole under Odierna have been just as good if not better. James is our first 5 star longpole in any class since 22. Sobel is our first 5 star goalie since then. Kittelberger is our first defensive minded middie to make the AA game. He came in and matched the type of guys we were getting under Petro right off the jump. I am still 100% happy with us having Odierna instead of Petro, and that isn't even touching how the actual defense looks.

I'am talking recruiting overall not just defensive recruits. The staff just don't recruit there side of the ball so to speak. Again SU was coming off a 4 win season when that class was pulled in. Not a final four appearance, a bit of a difference no? Kellogg and McCarthy were both 4 star mids as well. All of the staff deserves credit because the 2022 class was a major outlier. What we brought in 23 and 24 was definitely higher rated then the clases proceeding in 21 and 20. Recruiting was definitely trending up but still had a way to go for sure to get where we were in the hey day years.

I have no issue with Odierna he's been really good and a much better fit defensively glad he's here, but Petro's recruiting ability I think would have really flourished once we started having some significant success.

 

[PhatOrange]

In today's day and age kids are more and more looking for early PT. I think it's why you're seeing the top kids in this class so spread out among schools.

 

[JeremyCuse]

In today's day and age kids are more and more looking for early PT. I think it's why you're seeing the top kids in this class so spread out among schools.

For some positions yes, for attack not so much.

 

[Shrmdougluvr]

not sure about that...in this class alone cuse lost out on multiple recruits that they wanted to maryland, ohio state, and penn state

so its not just the high end academic schools with funnels to wall street...though collectively they do account for a lot.

Maryland always pulls kids. They are also an elite program. Tillman is outstanding.

Not sure who we lost to OSU or PSU, but Matthews following his brother doesnt strike me as getting out recruited. I know PSU landed a couple of other good Canadians, but it seems like SU faired just fine landing Kruger and his direct connection to Orangeville.

I wil certainly concede that you know more about who chose where and why than I do though.

 

[longtimefan]

not sure about that...in this class alone cuse lost out on multiple recruits that they wanted to maryland, ohio state, and penn state

so its not just the high end academic schools with funnels to wall street...though collectively they do account for a lot.

In the Brave New World of NIL/portal/increased scholarships/House settlement money, I'n not sure how true this is anymore, but. . .
SU had been at a district disadvantage cost-wise to the state universities and the Ivys. Our peers were really ND, Duke, Hopkins.

 

[Powellfan]

In today's day and age kids are more and more looking for early PT. I think it's why you're seeing the top kids in this class so spread out among schools.

Uhhh no? They aren't very spread out. At all. Notre Dame just grabbed three five star attackmen when they pulled three five star attackmen in the previous two classes (and three ranked four stars). UNC just pulled four five star attackmen in the same class. That is the opposite of looking for playing time. Princeton makes sense giving what they lose for the '27 class, but for the other classes not so much. 60% of the five stars went to just three schools (ND, Princeton and UNC).

I think whoever said, "kids will go where they want to go" had it pretty much right. I don't get the sense kids are looking at a depth chart all that much. Plus I do wonder if there is some "following the leader" behavior going on. Once a school gained some momentum they really grabbed it. UNC grabbed four five star players over the course of three days. Notre Dame had three over the span of three days. I think some kids just like being part of a star studded class and don't want to get left behind, so to speak.

 

[Comstock44]

An 11th ranked recruiting class isn't going to get the job done.

 

[CrazyPeople]

In the Brave New World of NIL/portal/increased scholarships/House settlement money, I'n not sure how true this is anymore, but. . .
SU had been at a district disadvantage cost-wise to the state universities and the Ivys. Our peers were really ND, Duke, Hopkins.

This is it. $80k for Syracuse or $48k for Penn St, OSU, Maryland even out of state tuition is a big bridge to gap.

 

[JeremyCuse]

This is it. $80k for Syracuse or $48k for Penn St, OSU, Maryland even out of state tuition is a big bridge to gap.

I know for a fact that tuition has cost SU a number of recruits this past decade. It's definitely a concern compared to some of our peers. More scholarships will help but again were not gonna have anywhere close to 48

 

[Cuse On 3]

An 11th ranked recruiting class isn't going to get the job done.

There seems to be a fairly large group in the lacrosse section that seems like we’re overreacting and that this class isn’t that bad. It’s like sure it isn’t “bad”. But if our #1 class can’t get it done and has only made 1 final four. What makes any of you think #5-11 class rankings will get it done or maintain similar success as 2023/2024-2024/2025. It just seems like cope to me. I want us to be great just as much as everyone else in here but I’m not gonna be delusional.

 

[Powellfan]

You guys can spin it anyway you want, this class was a disappointment, & a spallina committing to penn over us is just the cherry on top. I’m very excited about getting a 5* goalie and I’m really excited about kruger and our SSDM. That’s kind of where it ends. No high end middies or attacks or poles is absolutely a disappointment.

Lol, you were upset when SU landed a three star FOGO, but now that they've lost out on a three star attackmen, you are ready to write off the entire class? I admit I had higher expectations for this class going in, but this seems overly defeatist.

Also, the class shouldn't be finished yet. If the roster cap of 48 is a real thing, Syracuse is on track to have just 41 players on the roster by the time the '27 get on campus (give or take). I don't think they are going to add seven more players to this class, but three or four seems realistic.

 

[Cuse On 3]

Lol, you were upset when SU landed a three star FOGO, but now that they've lost out on a three star attackmen, you are ready to write off the entire class? I admit I had higher expectations for this class going in, but this seems overly defeatist.

Also, the class shouldn't be finished yet. If the roster cap of 48 is a real thing, Syracuse is on track to have just 41 players on the roster by the time the '27 get on campus (give or take). I don't think they are going to add seven more players to this class, but three or four seems realistic.

Powell. You are one of the guys who I respect the most in the lacrosse section. I have been lurking since 2018 and have been reading your takes for years.. literally…. So don’t think I’m calling you or Jeremy or mouse out for defending the class. I’m more so just disappointed and am trying to vent these frustrations and my take on it. I get the whole “overly defeatist” take I have on this class but I just don’t see how gait can maintain this level of success with lesser talent… I will say our last 3 classes are loaded with big and fast athletes, but in terms of higher end guys, 2027 is where we really needed to land some higher end guys on offense. Specifically attack. And we didn’t do that.

 

[CrazyPeople]

There seems to be a fairly large group in the lacrosse section that seems like we’re overreacting and that this class isn’t that bad. It’s like sure it isn’t “bad”. But if our #1 class can’t get it done and has only made 1 final four. What makes any of you think #5-11 class rankings will get it done or maintain similar success as 2023/2024-2024/2025. It just seems like cope to me. I want us to be great just as much as everyone else in here but I’m not gonna be delusional.

In all fairness, Terry Foy or Matt Chandik are not the be-all and end-all for lacrosse rankings. The stars mean VERY little and coaches take them almost into zero account when recruiting. I'd be curious for someone to go through the previous years and see how many 5* truly panned out and how many zero *s ended up being serious play makers...

 

[Cuse On 3]

In all fairness, Terry Foy or Matt Chandik are not the be-all and end-all for lacrosse rankings. The stars mean VERY little and coaches take them almost into zero account when recruiting. I'd be curious for someone to go through the previous years and see how many 5* truly panned out and how many zero *s ended up being serious play makers...

That’s a good point, I’d like to see the data analysis on that as well.

 

[SULAXAHOLIC]

Go back and look at the 23 class and what SU put together after a 4 win or whatever it was season. Not all the guys have worked out obviously but multiple high 4 star Mids, Donny Scott who was a highly sought after D recruit, Ipp who was another high end recruit and a 5 star in Deere. Not all of those are on Petro but he certainly helped.

It's not a coincidence that UNC's recruiting ability went from really good to surreal once he got there.

I’m sorry but UNC’s recruiting success had way more to do with fully funding the team and NIL money than Petro.

 

[nyclax]

That’s a good point, I’d like to see the data analysis on that as well.

this is just last year and just for attack but, here are the 2025 inside lacrosse all-americans and their HS ranking...

cj kirst - 5 star, #9 ranking
jackson eicher - 4 star, #69 ranking
sam king - 5 star, #21 ranking

chris kavanagh - 5 star, #4 ranking
joey spallina - 5 star, #1 ranking
coulter mackesy - 4 star, #33 ranking

ryan goldstein - 4 star, #50 ranking (after reclassing)
owen duffy - 5 star, #1 ranking
mikey weisshaar - 5 star, #14 ranking

there are some lower ranked guys on the HM list but for the first three teams...all are 4 or 5 stars and the worst ranking was eicher at #69...

two things can be true...coaches pay no attention to rankings, that's true...BUT ALSO...the rankings end up being more accurate than people would like to believe...of course they arent perfect...they always overrate a few guys or totally whiff and miss someone...but in general, not bad.

 

[Powellfan]

 

[Zack80]

I have trouble finding the Inside lacrosse junior rankings for like 2020 or 2021.
Here is the junior ranking from 2016

2016 Top 50 Young Gun Junior Rankings

(Inside Lacrosse Photo: Matt Cain) California native Isaiah Dawson finds himself atop the 2018 rankings after a successful summer,

www.insidelacrosse.com

Here is the junior ranking from 2017

2017 Top Young Gun Junior Rankings

Inside Lacrosse is pleased to announce the Top Young Gun Junior Rankings from the 2017 Recruiting Issue, which is available now. Connor

www.insidelacrosse.com

 

[Cuse On 3]

this is just last year and just for attack but, here are the 2025 inside lacrosse all-americans and their HS ranking...

cj kirst - 5 star, #9 ranking
jackson eicher - 4 star, #69 ranking
sam king - 5 star, #21 ranking

chris kavanagh - 5 star, #4 ranking
joey spallina - 5 star, #1 ranking
coulter mackesy - 4 star, #33 ranking

ryan goldstein - 4 star, #50 ranking (after reclassing)
owen duffy - 5 star, #1 ranking
mikey weisshaar - 5 star, #14 ranking

there are some lower ranked guys on the HM list but for the first three teams...all are 4 or 5 stars and the worst ranking was eicher at #69...

two things can be true...coaches pay no attention to rankings, that's true...BUT ALSO...the rankings end up being more accurate than people would like to believe...of course they arent perfect...they always overrate a few guys or totally whiff and miss someone...but in general, not bad.

I definitely think stars matter. Only a small anecdotal of proof but thanks for that info!

 

[wgdsr]

I have trouble finding the Inside lacrosse junior rankings for like 2020 or 2021.
Here is the junior ranking from 2016

2016 Top 50 Young Gun Junior Rankings

(Inside Lacrosse Photo: Matt Cain) California native Isaiah Dawson finds himself atop the 2018 rankings after a successful summer,

www.insidelacrosse.com

Here is the junior ranking from 2017

2017 Top Young Gun Junior Rankings

Inside Lacrosse is pleased to announce the Top Young Gun Junior Rankings from the 2017 Recruiting Issue, which is available now. Connor

www.insidelacrosse.com

whole lot of misses in that 2018 class. 2019 seemed to do a good bit better.