Uncommitted Ohioans: Class of 2025 Defensemen

Keep an eye on these uncommitted defenders from Ohio's north, south, and central regions from the graduating class of 2025.    Stamp was one of Liberty's main defensive contributors during their State Championship run. He times his slides well and makes high IQ plays on the defensive end. Stamp recognizes where players want to go one-on-one and does not relent. He has solid positioning and a strong defensive presence. Not only is he physically imposing, but he also does a nice job finding openings and capitalizing on them. He earned First Team All-State in the Spring.     Luker executes smooth slaps and lifts, and once he has his opponent at a disadvantage, he capitalizes on it. He demonstrates a good understanding of when to use his body and hands instead of just relying on his stick. Additionally, he showcases excellent footwork and maintains his balance while defending quick dodges. He stays close to his opponent, disrupts their shots, and excels at ground ball play. Luker is also a proficient shooter and is comfortable in transition. He earned Third Team All-State this past spring and a spot at the US Lacrosse NTDP National Combine.     Casey is a defender who excels at quickly closing space and making the offensive player work hard throughout the game. He demonstrates excellent positioning both on and off the ball, effectively tracking both his man and the ball. He remains patient while the play develops and becomes aggressive when the ball comes his way. I appreciate how much he trusts his teammates and plays his part in the defensive scheme. He earned First Team All-State this Spring.     Picton is another player on this list who excels on the football field, and it shows. As a defender, he uses his size and strength to force the issue and matches feet well through dodges, also throwing hard checks. He uses the stick at precise moments to force turnovers or situations where he can press his advantage. Additionally, Picton has good timing on his over-the-head checks. He earned Third Team All-State in the Spring.     Brenkert is an athlete of good size who chases down ground balls and causes turnovers. He has excellent positioning and a fast breakdown, and he gets his stick in front when approaching the ball carrier. He makes high-IQ plays with patience and anticipates well by getting his stick to spots before the ball arrives. Additionally, he performs well in man-up situations and on the offensive end. Brenkert contributes all over the field for his team. He earned Third Team All-State in the spring.     Smith is a physical, athletic, and aggressive player who is very difficult to shake. I appreciate the checking selection he uses; he times them well and uses lift-checks at precise moments. He can run the ball downfield in transition, push ground balls effectively, and pass on the run if he's under duress. His standout quality is that he keeps his stick up and active, making him a threat to force a turnover.     Haas has great size and athleticism, making him very difficult to play against. He is fierce when playing one-on-one, as well as when he carries the ball under pressure. Haas throws as many checks as he needs, prioritizing quality over quantity. When he dislodges the ball he challenges the ground-ball, and is a threat to make a play in transition if he wins it. He earned Second Team All-State in the Spring.     Mercado is relentless on defense. If he senses hesitation, he capitalizes on it. He is aggressive on ground balls and in transition, and he is skilled enough to make plays all over the field. He quickly breaks down and gets his feet moving, while also getting his stick out. Once contact is initiated, he stands strong and maintains his positioning.     Meier, as a long-stick midfielder, effectively utilizes behind-the-back dodges and maintains a relentless attitude on the field. He shows determination when the ball is on the ground and demonstrates quick decision-making skills on the wing and defense. If you fail to protect your stick, Meier will take advantage of it. He delivers a solid initial check and communicates effectively on the field. He also earned a spot at the US Lacrosse NTDP National Combine this Summer.     Farley leads with his stick and follows up with a tough lift check. He has the ability to break down and shuffle quickly, and he possesses a strong physical skill set that makes him difficult to shake. Farley is comfortable carrying the ball and making quick throws in transition, even under pressure. He also does a nice job of finding hanging sticks and exploiting them.

Keep an eye on these uncommitted defenders from Ohio's north, south, and central regions from the graduating class of 2025.