Class of 2026 New Commit: Jayden James (DC: St. John’s) Defense (9/17/24)

[Gettysbrg10]

We recruit kids named Jayden better than any other school in the country.

 

[GrowTheGame]

Not in this class, but the recent flip of 2025 middie Rawson helps a good deal with easing the loss of the 2022s all at once. He is a guy like Leo and Rhoa who should be able to come in and be a serious problem off the dodge as a middie right off the bat.

Isn’t Rawson only playing football at this time?

 

[DoctahLexus]

Isn’t Rawson only playing football at this time?

Think you are mixing him up with Wyatt Bowman, who was committed to UNC for lacrosse before flipping to SU football. Rawson is a Canadian middie from Lawrenceville.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Have you heard if Garcia is in play?

I haven't, but he would be a real nice addition. I believe SU is involved with the other Marcellus player where Maryland and others have been poking around (Tillman was here last week). I know they were after some FOGO's and may have lost out on or two already though I can't be sure.

 

[JeremyCuse]

thanks so i guess the LSM from St. Anothy's isn't happening.

A lot of competition for him, UVA is desperate for a high end pole and likely to be throwing major NIL $$. Cuse is still in play but I am not as confident in landing him as I was the other two.

 

[nyclax]

i dont think cuse is in play for garcia but dont quote me on that. if they land him that will be a major coup because all 4 other ACCs are on him

 

[GrowTheGame]

Think you are mixing him up with Wyatt Bowman, who was committed to UNC for lacrosse before flipping to SU football. Rawson is a Canadian middie from Lawrenceville.

Totally got that mixed up! Thanks and hopefully Bowman maybe joins as well

 

[JeremyCuse]

i dont think cuse is in play for garcia but dont quote me on that. if they land him that will be a major coup because all 4 other ACCs are on him

I'd be pretty surprised if he ended up here. UNC and UVA are likely in a death battle. Could also see someone like Hop or Maryland make a strong play here though I believe HOp already has 2 4 star attackmen committed.

 

[Powellfan]

They simply don't make them like this anymore. James is great at separating the ball from the player, and can seemingly throw every check in the book. Not a lot of highlight vids coming from defenders are all that entertaining. That's not the case with James. Great feet and also really fast. He just seems like a defender who is absolutely zero fun for opposing attackmen to play against. Will be fun to see him charging down the field in transition for sure.

I'm (of course) really happy we landed him, with all the links leading up to his commitment, it would have been a big blow if he chose somewhere else. Not entirely sure how we ended up with a pipeline to St. John's (maybe DMVCuseLax can enlighten up someday), but glad we did!

 

[JeremyCuse]

They simply don't make them like this anymore. James is great at separating the ball from the player, and can seemingly throw every check in the book. Not a lot of highlight vids coming from defenders are all that entertaining. That's not the case with James. Great feet and also really fast. He just seems like a defender who is absolutely zero fun for opposing attackmen to play against. Will be fun to see him charging down the field in transition for sure.

I'm (of course) really happy we landed him, with all the links leading up to his commitment, it would have been a big blow if he chose somewhere else. Not entirely sure how we ended up with a pipeline to St. John's (maybe DMVCuseLax can enlighten up someday), but glad we did!

Hard not to love both James and Peck, both guys who deserve the 5 star rankings and are likely to keep moving up the class into the top 5 for both. Gonna a miss that 2022 class but SU is putting together a heck of a frosh class to replace Spallina and co.

 

[JYCUSE12]

James' athleticism is crazy, real excited to have that on the defensive end. Huge get!

 

[MadNY3]

While I am not as lax verse as all of you, this commit excites me more than any other the past couple years other than Bear. To get an elite long pole with clear end-to-end savvy and clear moxie feels so 90s Syracuse. Awesome.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

Amazing pick up! Couldn’t be more excited to add another elite pole

That’s what she said.

 

[Powellfan]

“James, the St. Johns (D.C.) and Next Level standout rated by Inside Lacrosse as the top defenseman in the class, directed traffic and caused three turnovers in the game. In USA’s stiffest test of the weekend — an 8-5 win over the Haudenosaunee on Friday — it was James’ over-the-head strip of an opponent near midfield that allowed the U.S. to maintain a one-goal lead going into the fourth quarter.”

 

[Whitey23]

“James, the St. Johns (D.C.) and Next Level standout rated by Inside Lacrosse as the top defenseman in the class, directed traffic and caused three turnovers in the game. In USA’s stiffest test of the weekend — an 8-5 win over the Haudenosaunee on Friday — it was James’ over-the-head strip of an opponent near midfield that allowed the U.S. to maintain a one-goal lead going into the fourth quarter.”

great to hear about Jayden. Wish they could have locked Ivancevic down too!

 

[Powellfan]

Jayden James, D, U16
It was easy to see why Inside Lacrosse has James as the No. 1 defenseman in the Class of 2026. He was the centerpiece of a defense that allowed just nine goals combined in four games (2.25 goals allowed per game). His communication was on point, and he’s the rare defenseman who combines sound fundamentals with opportunistic takeaways. When the Haudenosaunee closed to within one goal in the third quarter Friday and were threatening to tie the game, James came up with an over-the-head strip at midfield to squash the momentum. He also had three caused turnovers in a 10-0 shutout of Ontario.

 

[Powellfan]

D-Jayden James, St. John’s (DC), Next Level Blue | Syracuse
Evaluation Score: 88
With such a high IQ and slick skills, the lefty James had the most active stick among any pole in the ‘26 division. With too many knockdowns and takeaways to keep track, James' playmaking as a longpole is nearly unmatched.

 

[Powellfan]

 

[Powellfan]

Jayden James, D, 2026, St. John’s (D.C), 5-Star | Syracuse
Evaluation Score: 88
To highlight the caliber of athlete James is, as a 2026 he finished in the top 5 of all athletes on site in four different combine tests including the first place vertical. He uses that athleticism to prowl the field and play with an aggressive mindset that often ends up in a CTO. He works to assert his presence and uses a combo of speed, IQ, and a savvy stick to disrupt ball carriers and pick it up off the carpet.

 

[Powellfan]

 

[Cuse4455]

Can he reclass to 25 lol we need him now

 

[Comstock44]

So we've got 3 Jaydens committed? James, Rodriguez, and Kittleberger?

 

[DMVCuseLax]

Can he reclass to 25 lol we need him now

Watched him a few times this season. We have guys on the roster better right now. He isn’t ready to step in and play on day 1 in 26.

He could be a good player. Time will tell.

 

[Powellfan]

 

[DMVCuseLax]