Promising Class Of 2027 Midfielders Suddenly On My Radar

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>As I wrote last week in my <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/04/promising-class-of-2027-attackmen-suddenly-on-my-radar/">analysis of top '27 attackmen this spring</a>, it's been at least five years since I've been this impressed by the play of freshmen on varsity, so let's now shift over to the midfield for a closer look at six middies (four on offense and two at SSDM) who have caught my eye. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["23841"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Watch Steer for a shift or two and you'll quickly learn that he's pretty different in terms of his pure speed and ability to separate. The numbers don't lie either — at Deemer Class' Best In Class event, Steer finished first overall with a 33\u0022 vertical jump and a 2.14 Flying 20 while also checking in with a broad jump of 8'7. Those testing numbers speak volumes about the type of athlete he is.\r\n\r\nOn the field, he's spent a lot of time running on the Cardinals' top midfield as of late and has done an impeccable job of playing within himself and making the right play. There's no doubt that he's explosive enough to win his matchup time after time (and even draw slides), but I've been super impressed with his decision-making and IQ - it's clear how much confidence the staff has in him as an initiator. Less than two minutes into CHC's upset of McDonogh on Friday, he blew down the alley and threw an assist back to a wide-open teammate for a goal. Steer has the awareness to know he doesn't have to be the guy going to the cage, but he can still be the party starter that opens things up for the players around him. Through Tuesday's win, he has 11 points (5g/6a) and 11 groundballs for the Cardinals.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["23838"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Another talented freshman who has gotten a lot of reps rotating onto the first midfield line, Lynch has shown tons of promise early in Belmont Hill's season. He possesses an excellent skill set offensively and is more polished and two-handed than most kids his age, but there's a lot more there in terms of his full-field game. He has demonstrated the willingness to mix it up and get physical between the lines, pushing guys out of bounds on a handful of instances to win the ball back.\r\n\r\nHis tally against Deerfield was one of the better plays I've seen from an underclassman this year. With a Big Green defenseman hung up at X and Lynch's teammate looking for cutters behind the cage, Lynch darted to the left pipe, caught it left-handed, and increased his angle with a beautiful BTB. Posting nine goals and four assists in seven games (plus a bevy of impressive hockey assists), he can stretch opposing defenses with his outside shot and beat his man off the dodge when given the opportunity.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["23840"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"During the first half of the season, McGrath has steadily produced two or more points a game for first-year head coach Steve Colfer, who has a young gem on his hands in McGrath along with a talented group of sophomores on offense. With an athletic 6'2 frame, he has made a habit out of attacking shortstick matchups, but he's also excellent without the ball and great at setting quality picks that often result in the ball going into the back of the net. Like any freshman, there have been some growing pains - he could stand to touch up his shot selection - but there's a lot to like about what McGrath brings to the table, especially when thinking about where his game could go from here. The combination of size, athleticism, and skill is intriguing, and he'll only get better with another three years as a starter in the Inter-Ac.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["24318"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"It's rare to see multiple freshmen getting significant minutes for a top MIAA team, and Calvert Hall has an excellent core of young midfielders between Steer, Schoonmaker, and d-middie Micha Morozov. Like Steer, Schoonmaker has earned minutes despite strong depth on the Cardinals' midfield unit, which includes his older brother Will, an uncommitted standout in the '25 class. Through the first few weeks of the season, the younger Schoonmaker has been a mainstay, mostly running with the second group. Another smart player who knows his role and makes the right play, he's been able to show off his impressive shot on the run when given the chance to provide a spark for the Cardinals. As the season has progressed, it's clear that Schoonmaker has developed confidence with more and more reps, and he's certainly one to watch going forward.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["24324"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Whether it's at the college or high school level, I have immense respect for any freshman who gets on the field as a defensive midfielder. The type of athlete who can run all day (it came as no surprise to hear that French was also a contributor for the Fords' soccer team), he has held up exceptionally well against top competition and hasn't backed down from any matchup. At one point during Haverford's win over Malvern Prep on Tuesday, he dropped the hammer with a big hit on one of the Friars' top prospects at GLE. Earlier in the game, French played excellent D to prevent Malvern from scoring at the end of the quarter. Having watched his squad a lot on film so far this year, I've marked him down for a handful of knockdowns and heady play in the clearing game. He has certainly looked the part as a young gun for the undefeated Fords, and I'm looking forward to seeing his continued development, especially since his highlights show off an offensive skill set on the club circuit.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["24184"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"As I've expressed, it's noteworthy to see a freshman standing out at the SSDM position in one of the nation's best private school leagues. Tough and highly athletic, Stephenson has the right intangibles to play the position. As simple as it sounds, so much can be said about a d-middie who embraces their role - Stephenson has done exactly that in a short time. He's done a great job of making his presence felt by getting his hands on dodging midfielders and jamming them up top, and it all comes back to his quick feet. Like any newcomer, there have been some growing pains here and there (particularly on the clear), but he'll get better and better with more reps.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661d87765fa9d"} /-->