After an offseason headlined by impact transfers and the return of several program staples, Duke is No. 1 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Men’s Preseason Top 20.

There’s a potential super team brewing in Durham. Michael Sowers, the ankle-breaking Princeton transfer and US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason Player of the Year who stockpiled points with ease before the COVID-19 pandemic ended the 2020 season, joins an attack that will also welcome Brennan O’Neill, the top recruit in his class. Sowers’ Princeton teammate, Phil Robertson, also transferred in to team with his brother, Joe, who is healthy after tearing his ACL last spring. Dyson Williams brings even more firepower to the table.

With Saint Joseph’s transfer Mike Adler fortifying the defense in goal and Holy Cross transfer Dan O’Connell shoring up the faceoff, Duke has seemingly few weaknesses. Oh, and JT Giles-Harris, US Lacrosse Magazine’s Preseason Defenseman of the Year, is back for a final season after toying with the idea of pursuing a football career.

Syracuse, which ended the 2020 campaign ranked No. 1, checks in at No. 2 in the 2021 preseason rankings. The Orange bring back just about everyone from their blistering start to last season, with midfielder Brendan Curry and goalie Drake Porter earning US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-American nods.

Maryland, Penn State and Virginia rank Nos. 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

Continue below to see the rest of the top 20. Rankings are compiled by US Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors in consultation with college coaches.

Nike/US Lacrosse
Division I Men’s Preseason Top 20

1. Duke
2. Syracuse
3. Maryland
4. Penn State
5. Virginia
6. North Carolina
7. Denver
8. Yale
9. Cornell
10. Notre Dame
11. Georgetown
12. Ohio State
13. Loyola
14. UMass
15. Army
16. Lehigh
17. Richmond
18. Penn
19. Rutgers
20. Johns Hopkins

Also considered (alphabetical order): Albany, Brown, Bucknell, Hofstra, Navy, Providence, Villanova