25 High School Boys' Lacrosse Players to Watch in 2023 (2024)

Take a look at 25 of the top high school boys’lacrosse players to watch in 2023. Organized by region, we highlight five players each from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, Midwest and West. The players are listed alphabetically by last name.

NORTHEAST

Owen Duffy, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), A, Sr.

Duffy went against the mold, heading down Tobacco Road from former Friars Brennan O'Neill and Andrew McAdorey to play for North Carolina. And while those ACC showdowns should be terrific, St. Anthony’s coach Keith Wieczorek is happy to have the throwback, do-it-all attackman back for another year. A rare junior captain a year ago, Duffy, ranked No. 4 in the Class of 2023 by Inside Lacrosse, can feed from X, he can finish and he can carry.

Cal Girard, Manhasset (N.Y.), FO, Sr.

There’s just two returning USA Lacrosse All-Americans on Long Island this spring and the area’s top faceoff guy, who helped guide Manhasset to the New York State Class C title a year ago, is one of them. The Duke-bound senior is a four-year starter who is called an “animal at the faceoff” by Manhasset head coach Keith Cromwell. Girard has that combination of strength and speed, which means he rarely loses a clamp and can immediately create quick offense with his ability to push transition.

Leo Hoffman, Brunswick (Conn.), M, Sr.

On a loaded team of future high-major Division I players, Leo Hoffman is the alpha male. The Penn-bound senior, ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2023 by Inside Lacrosse, was a USA Lacrosse All-American as a junior.

“He is constantly in a triple threat position, ready to dodge, shoot or feed,” Brunswick School coach David Bruce said. “His first step is also quicker than most others on the field, which forces his defenders to play on their heels.”

Matt Jeffery, Cheshire (Conn.), M, Jr.

Yes, they play lacrosse outside of Fairfield County in Connecticut and Jeffrey is proof elite lax can also be found in New Haven County. A three-sport star at Cheshire, the USA Lacrosse All-American is ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2024 by Inside Lacrosse, thanks in part to an obscene 115-point sophom*ore season. The quarterback of the school's football team and a basketball guard, the lefty midfielder, who verbally committed to Notre Dame, is a freak athlete who is a constant scoring threat.

Hunter Spiess, Brunswick (Conn.), D, Sr.

Looking for a lockdown defender who rarely has a misstep? Spiess is your guy. The Princeton-bound senior is a chameleon with a long pole, able to adjust to whatever type of attackman is trying to take him on. He’s just as good off-ball as the quarterback of Brunswick School’s defense.

“Fast, strong and a hockey guy, he’s really dangerous off the ground and is confident on the offensive side of the field,” Bruce said. “This is all while covering the opponent’s No. 1 attackman.”

— Dylan Butler

MID-ATLANTIC

Mac Christmas, McDonogh (Md.), LSM, Sr.

Christmas has been a noticeable standout throughout his scholastic career. The 6-foot-4 LSM is on a new team for his final year of high school before heading to Duke. Christmas brings the valuable tools of being able to guard, cause turnovers, and win the ball on the ground at the highest level.

Ryan Duenkel, St. John’s (D.C.), A, Jr.

The versatile attacker isn’t big, but he’s active and can help the offense from a variety of spots. The No. 1 ranked junior in the country was a force as a sophom*ore for the nation’s best team, and he is expected to help the Cadets weather some of their graduation losses.

Caleb Fyock, St. John’s (Md.), G, Sr.

An exceptional stopper at the other end of the field for St. John’s, Fyock has soft hands and doesn’t give up rebounds. The Ohio State commit comes up with the routine and is good for a few big saves. He make plays outside the cage, and once he has secured the ball he quickly and accurately distributes it.

Nate Kabiri, Georgetown Prep (Md.), A, Sr.

A pure shooter, Kabiri is Georgetown’s top scoring threat. He has a quick release and ability to vary the angle well, and he uses a great change of direction to get his hands free. The Princeton commit also has shown an ability to create shots for teammates.

McCabe Millon, McDonogh (Md.), A, Sr.

Millon has developed into a dynamic dodger who attacks the goal aggressively and can finish with either hand. His versatility allows McDonogh to use him any number of ways, and the No. 1 senior in the country is poised to lead the Eagles in his final year before joining Virginia.

— Justin Feil

SOUTH

Sean Browne, Episcopal School of Dallas (Texas), A, Jr.

Sean Browne returns for his junior year after a 54-goal, 40-assist 2022.The Virginia commit, who is widely considered one of the few five-star recruits in the region, is called the QB of his team’s offense by coach Jay Sothoron. He carries over strong athleticism from the basketball court and uses that ability to dodge defenses.

Jordan Faison, Pine Crest (Fla.), M, Sr.

Jordan Faison is widely considered one of the top two-sport athletes in the country. He was Pine Crest’s leading scorer a year ago with 43 goals. He is committed to Notre Dame, where it appears he will play both football and lacrosse.

Beckett Foley, Dallas Jesuit (Texas), M, Jr.

With fellow scorer McAllister Hobbs in the college ranks, Beckett Foley appears poised to become Jesuit’s leading scorer. He notched 43 goals a season again. He is committed to Iona in 2024.

Caden Harshbarger, Lake Mary (Fla.), M, Jr.

One of the top junior midfielders in the country, Caden Harshbarger returns after a 44-goal, 35-assist sophom*ore season. He is committed to North Carolina. Given his 6-1 frame, he is considered a top playmaker with his size and speed.

Jack Schulte, St. Andrew’​s (Fla.), A, Sr.

Jack Schulte led St. Andrew’s in goals in 2021 and 2022 in the squad’s quest to back-to-back state championships. After a 40-goal sophom*ore campaign, Schulte put up 60 goals and 53 assists in 2022. The attacker is committed to Air Force.

— Justin Boggs

MIDWEST

Jack Jenkins, Hudson (Ohio), A, Sr.

Jenkins played a critical role in the Explorers reaching states for the first time since 2016, topping 125 points and 70 ground balls. His big performances included five goals in Hudson’s 19-12 regional title game win over St. Ignatius. He also had five goals in the regional semifinals against Hoover and three goals and three assists in the previous round against Green.

Nikolas Menendez, Culver Academy (Ind.), D, Jr.

A Harvard commit, Menendez is a top-tier defender for one of the top lacrosse teams in the country. Beyond his success throughout the 2022 season for the Eagles, Menendez has continued to compile rave reviews from talent evaluators.

Crandall Quinn, Forest Hills Central (Mich.), G, Sr.

A senior staple in net, Crandall Quinn was a key part of the Rangers’ perfect 2022 campaign. Per FHC coach Andy Shira, “His experience, top-level play in net, clearing ability and vocal leadership will be a big asset for our defense.”

Nate Schwitzenberg, Loyola Academy (Ill.), D, Sr.

The cliche is that defense wins championships and that was certainly the case for the Ramblers last season. Led by Schwitzenberg, a Notre Dame commit, Loyola held its last six foes to seven goals or fewer en route to a state title, holding those opponents to 4.33 goals per game.

Colin Vickrey, Culver Academy (Ind.), G, Sr.

The Eagles have stockpiled some of the nation’s top goalie prospects, and with an injury to Adam Blind, now at Harvard, Vickrey got to show off his immense talent last season against some of the top programs in the country. Faring well against the likes of McDonogh (Md.), and expect Vickrey to be a force yet again in 2023.

— Jonah Rosenblum

WEST

Ben Beachum, La Costa Canyon (Calif.), M, Sr.

Considered a top 30 prospect in his recruiting class, Beachum is a smooth two-way playmaker. He’s tall, ambidextrous and athletic and will be heading to play for Penn next year.

Andrew Cook, Torrey Pines (Calif.), G, Jr.

A 6-foot, 175-pound athlete, Cook has been making big saves for Torrey Pines since he was a freshman and recorded 12 stops in the San Diego Open final. He had a 7.1 goals against average last year and made 173 saves in 21 games. Cook is committed to Johns Hopkins.

Finn Hauhuth, Arapahoe (Colo.), A, Sr.

The University of Maryland-bound attackman finished his junior season with 24 goals and 11 assists, but played his best in the state final to help Arapahoe claim the Class 5A title. He finished with four goals and one assist in that game.

Jack Kiefer, Cherry Creek (Colo.), D, Sr.

A solid man-to-man and positional defender, Kiefer began his lacrosse career as an offensive player, so he prides himself on his stick-handling, but he’s best known for his takeaway ability. He’s 6-foot-3, 195 pounds and headed to Duke next year.

Brett Koopman, Santa Fe Christian (Calif.), D/LSM, Sr.

A threat to score from anywhere inside the restraining line, Koopman brings the combination of exceptional hands, a hard shot and strong dodging ability. He’s aggressive pressing for turnovers and pushing transition, he creates havoc and he brings a strong lacrosse IQ. Koopman is headed to UNC next year.

— Laurel Pfahler