25 High School Boys' Lacrosse Players to Watch in 2025

We released the All-America Watch List for the 2025 high school boys' lacrosse season Tuesday. Now here's a closer look at each of the 25 players — five from each region of our coverage — with player-of-the-year potential.

Northeast

James Gillis, Jr., M, Chaminade

The junior is the definition of a power lefty. “A fierce competitor with excellent speed and skills,” according to Chaminade (N.Y.) coach Jack Moran, Gillis can shoot with velocity, finds the open man against the slide, and isn’t afraid to mix it up on the ride and battle for ground balls. The Duke commit, ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2026 by Inside Lacrosse, leads by example by his work ethic.

Christopher Iuliano, Sr., D, Rye (N.Y.)

Iuliano doesn’t discriminate when it comes to the attacking players he’s shutting down. Big powerful attackers and shifty, quick, smaller dodgers all get the same shutdown treatment from the Rye (N.Y.) senior — a trip to Iuliano Island. The Notre Dame commit is also a force in  transition, creating space with his length and athleticism. “He is a true competitor in every sense of the word,” Rye coach Steve Lennon said.

Parker McDonald, Sr., LSM, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

When there’s a ball on the ground, it doesn’t take McDonald long to scoop it up and fly  downfield in transition. The North Carolina-bound senior is fast and physical and has a great lacrosse IQ to go along with excellent stick skills. The St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) senior is ranked No. 7 in the Class of 2025 by the National Lacrosse Federation. “He’s got a great level of compete,” St. Anthony’s coach Keith Wieczorek said.

Gary Merrill, Sr., M, St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

A fierce competitor with next-level athleticism, the St. Anthony’s (N.Y.) senior flies in the open field, dodges with tenacity and, when the game is on the line, wants the ball. Ranked No. 2 in the Class of 2025 by Inside Lacrosse, Gary Merrill recently committed to playing both lacrosse and football at North Carolina. The five-star lacrosse recruit was named the Gatorade Player of the Year as the dual-threat quarterback racked up 3,717 total yards and 51 touchdowns.

Anthony Raio, Sr. M, Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.)

The North Carolina commit has been Mr. Everything for Half Hollow Hills (N.Y.), utilizing his tremendous athleticism and size on offense, defense, man-up, and man-down, an “old school two-way middie,” according to Hills coach Connor Hagans. Last year, Anthony Raio had 75 goals and 44 assists to guide the ThunderColts to the Suffolk Class A title. The five-year starter, who constantly looks to hone his craft, is a true leader by example.

— Dylan Butler

Mid-Atlantic

Anthony Drago, Sr., M, West Essex (N.J.)

The Duke commit has done a bit of everything for West Essex and then some. He’s a dynamic scorer who put up 52 goals last year thanks to his finishing ability, but don’t overlook his vision that helped create 22 assists as well. His competitive drive is always on, and it projects onto his team. He’s even taken faceoffs or picked up a long pole at times to help the team. His example and skillset have helped to change the Knights culture and inspire future generations.

Robby Hopper, Sr., LSM, Archbishop Spalding (Md.)

Hopper was a late addition to the U.S. Men's U20 Training Team and he proved he belonged with outstanding play, good enough to impress even among college players. He can deliver the highlight reel play, and he has worked to become more consistent overall. Possibly the top LSM in high school, he gives the Cavaliers the ability to transition quickly end to end. He'll be a Cavalier at the next level too. The 6-foot-5 dynamo will fit right in at Virginia.

Michael Ortlieb, Sr., A, Malvern Prep (Pa.)

Ortlieb is another multifaceted attackman who can score or assist. He posted 40 goals and 35 assists and is widely commended for his lacrosse IQ and creative play at X. He has produced in huge games, scoring five goals in the prep championship win last year. He will be an even bigger focal point for defenses in his final year before taking his game to Duke.

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

Last year’s Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year, Millon made a noticeable difference when he joined the lineup as a freshman late in the 2022 season. Fast forward three years and the No. 1 player in his class is as complete an attacker as there is. He’s dangerous as a scorer or a feeder, and this year he’ll be charged with being a senior leader for an Eagles squad trying to win a fourth straight conference crown before he heads to Virginia.

Aidan Seibel, Sr., G, McDonogh (Md.)

Seibel has been a steady star behind an ever-changing defense for the Eagles. It feels like he’s been there longer than four years because he’s had so much big-game experience. The Maryland commit took over the starting role early in his sophomore year and showed a knack for playing his best in the biggest games. He’s reliable for a few spectacular saves as well as the mundane, a huge reason McDonogh has their eyes on a fourth straight MIAA title.

— Justin Feil

South

Ben Boyer, Sr., LSM, Highland Park (Texas)

Boyer has the size and strength to shut down the opposing team’s top scorers. The 6-3 defender is a well-rounded athlete who also sprints. Boyer is planning to play collegiately for Virginia.

Kamden Clack, Jr., M, Buford (Ga.)

Clack was a prolific scorer, firing 74 goals and 29 assists last year. He has speed and is able to play on both sides of the net. Clack is committed to play for Ohio State.

Dylan Faison, Jr., M, St. Andrew's (Fla.)

Faison has become one of the top recruits in the 2026 class with his prolific scoring and physical ability. He scored 97 goals and 45 assists in 2024. Faison is committed to play football and lacrosse at Notre Dame like his brother Jordan, who played in both the lacrosse and football national championship games.

Jake Ivancevic, Jr., LSM, Benjamin School (Fla.)

Playing for the USA Select U16 team, Ivancevic impressed scouts as one of the nation’s top young defenders in the National Team Development Program. For Benjamin School last year, he had 76 ground balls and nine goals, but his ability to get clearances helps him stand above other defenders. He is committed to play for Brown.

Nick Testa, Jr. A, St Andrew’s (Fla.)

Testa was one of the top freshmen in the South in 2023, and he continued his offensive dominance in his sophomore season. He contributed 54 goals and 79 assists, leading St. Andrew’s to a state title. Testa is planning to play at Johns Hopkins in two more years. 

— Justin Boggs

Midwest

Patrick Biese, Sr., G, Culver (Ind.)

A top-60 Class of 2025 recruit per Inside Lacrosse, Biese is one of the nation's top goalie prospects. A Virginia commit, Biese impressed mightily in the Eagles' Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Association title game victory over Western Reserve Academy with a number of highlight-reel saves. Biese also starred against another top squad in the Hill Academy, stopping 62 percent of the shots that came his way to finish with 18 saves.

Tieson Cooper, Sr., A, Grand Ledge (Mich.)

A top-100 Class of 2025 recruit according to Inside Lacrosse, Cooper decided to stay in-state, committing to local power Michigan. How did he follow that commitment? All he did as a junior was earn Michigan Mr. Lacrosse honors after recording 109 goals and 101 assists for the Comets.

Andrew Gryzenia, Sr., LSM, Detroit Country Day (Mich.)

A top-70 Class of 2025 recruit per Inside Lacrosse, Gryzenia is one of the top long-stick midfielders in his class. A Notre Dame lacrosse commit, Gryzenia is a talented two-sport athlete, also earning first-team all-region football honors this fall on the defensive line. Gryzenia played a major role in the Yellowjackets winning their fourth state title last season.

Khalif Hocker, Sr., A, St. Xavier (Ohio)

One of the top recruits in the Midwest, coming in at 14th in his class per Inside Lacrosse, Hocker earned a five-star rating from multiple evaluators and offers from myriad powerhouses before committing to Ohio State. Hocker has been a force for the Bombers since his freshman year, racking up 79 goals, 56 assists and 52 ground balls as a junior. Hocker showed out in St. Xavier's biggest games, including five goals and three assists in the state semifinals and six goals in the title game.

Tay Rodriguez, Sr., FO, Culver (Ind.)

Over and over, the Eagles won big games last year thanks, in large part, to their dominance at the X. Rodriguez is a key part of that story for Culver, including a particularly impressive performance against Western Reserve Academy in the Midwest Scholastic Lacrosse Association title game. Rodriguez, also a gifted running back and defensive back for the Eagles' football team, has committed to play Division I lacrosse at Michigan.

— Jonah Rosenblum

West

Jack Barton, Sr., D, Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.)

Barton is a four-star recruit and senior defender out of Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) committed to North Carolina. He’s a 6-foot-4 lefty with a club career featuring seasons at ADVNC San Francisco AA, West Coast Starz Gold and ADVNC NDP NorCal. Barton guided the Gators to a 16-6 season last year and their third consecutive appearance in the CCS Division 1 title game.

Stu Gates, Sr., A, St. Ignatius (Calif.) 
The Dartmouth-bound Gates embarks on his senior campaign at the reigning CCS champions St. Ignatius Prep (Calif.). The 5-foot-9 four-star recruit is No. 76 in the Inside Lacrosse Class of 2025 Rankings and competes for club team Fog City. Gates, a right-handed attackman, will be pivotal in the Wildcats’ pursuit of a CCS championship four-peat.

Ryan Landa, Sr., M, Bishop’s (Calif.) 
Landa is a senior middie committed to Bowdoin in 2025. He is the sole West Region member of the USA Select U18 Boys team. The 6-foot-4 righty helped lead the Knights to a 12-8 season last year with big wins over Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.) and Foothill-Santa Ana.

Harry Luong, Sr., FO, Valor Christian (Colo.)

Luong helped Valor Christian (Colo). to its third-ever state championship title last season, capping the season with a 17-2 record. The 5-foot-9 Harvard commit recorded 22 faceoff wins, 14 ground balls and one goal in the state championship game. He competes at the club level for 3D Colorado AA.

Ollie Nolting, Sr., M, Cherry Creek (Colo.)

Four-star recruit Nolting is Johns Hopkins-bound in Fall 2025 and ranks 53rd in the Inside Lacrosse Class of 2025 Rankings. Nolting helped bring Cherry Creek (Colo.) to a quarterfinal appearance in last season’s 5A CHSAA state championship tournament. Nolting led Cherry Creek in assists, averaging 1.7 per game and was the third-leading scorer with 1.5 goals per game.

— Theresa Palmquist