New Jersey's Top Uncommitted '26s: Defenders

Use code ‘PREP30′ at checkout to receive 30% off your annual or two-year subscription!    If you missed it, check out my breakdown of six <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/10/new-jerseys-top-uncommitted-26s-goalies/">Top Uncommitted New Jersey Goalies for the Class of 2026</a>. Moving right along, next we look at a few guys looking to continue to wreak havoc for their club teams in fall ball and some who have to fight for spots on their high school roster for this spring.    Don Bosco has a ton of young defensive talent on their roster, so it'll be interesting to see if Aidan Kang can work his way into the defensive rotation more, whether down at close D or at LSM. With his high IQ and athleticism, the 3-star recruit does a lot of really great things as a somewhat undersized defender, and that starts with his effort on the field. His motor never stops and he has shown to have a relentless pursuit of the ball when it's loose and can flip the field with his speed. He has good technique and does a good job of lifting the back hand, boxing out or kicking it to space when there's a scrum. When getting dodged on, Kang utilizes good footwork and stick positioning to dislodge the ball and when he's matched up against a bigger opponent, he uses his strength to be aggressive and not back down from the challenge.     Regan got a taste of varsity life as a freshman, but last spring he found himself in a bigger role and showed exactly why he deserves to play more. Totaling 45 ground balls and adding a goal and assist as well as numerous caused turnovers, he was a tough matchup for any opposing attackman to go up against. Playing close, he was laying the wood on his matchups with his aggressive style of defense and the ability to press out. The NJ Riot product has shown good defensive instincts whether that is jumping on a double team, keeping his stick in passing lanes or timing out his takeaway checks to cause turnovers. He is comfortable with the ball in his stick and with good open field speed in the transition game, he is a threat to score at all times.     Standfast produced 32 ground balls as a freshman with a heavy workload and then topped it with 40 ground balls as a sophomore in a great season for Toms River East. Whether he is playing LSM or close D, he does a good job of making his presence felt. He is a strong player who uses that strength to his advantage when he is sliding to the ball or is boxing out for a ground ball. When defending at X, Standfast has shown that he can move well laterally and has good make up speed if his matchup has a step on him. He keeps his stick active on the gloves and in passing lanes and when he sees a loose ball, he is quick to get in the middle of it. With the ball in his stick, he handles pressure well and doesn't force tough passes or bad shots. Most of all, Standfast has a physical style of play and that wears an opponent down after four quarters.     Sherman carved out a nice role for himself last spring as a sophomore, finishing with 45 groundballs and adding a goal and an assist along with his work off the ground. The Leading Edge product shows good fundamentals, starting with his approach to the ball carrier, he does a good job of breaking down with his stick out in front of him pestering his matchup. He moves his feet well and has a good understanding of where he is on the field in order to force a roll-back to X or look to cause a turnover with smooth stick checks. Sherman has a high lacrosse IQ and if he sees a chance to double the ball, he will pounce. Keeping his stick active off-ball, he is sometimes able to breakup a skip pass or disrupt a shot. Sherman presses out to his opponent, but doesn't allow himself to get out of position too often with a good drop-step and technique.     Ramiccio had a productive role for Ramapo as a freshman long-stick midfielder, racking up 19 ground balls. As a sophomore, he took his game to another level and finished with 55 ground balls. He was effective on the wing for face-offs and showed good ground ball instincts and fundamentals. He is an athletic player with solid size, strength and speed as a defender. Ramiccio does a good job of meeting the ball and breaking down with good positioning while using his stick length to send poke checks to his matchup. Also, he has the ability to force turnovers with his well-timed slap checks and an aggressive style of play. His speed in the open field is fun to watch and he has proven that he is a threat with the ball, scoring three times and dishing out three assists last season.     Having not played much as a freshman, Ratner was given more playing time last spring and played well against solid competition on the schedule. He is a scrappy defender with good speed and athleticism to help affect the game in multiple ways. Ratner communicates well through pick-and-rolls at X and has a good change of direction in order to stay with his matchup. He does a good job of breaking down and running with his matchup and then the moment is right, he will unload a smooth takeaway check and dislodge the ball. Ratner finished last season with 38 ground balls and uses good technique by getting low and getting through the ball. When he is getting pressured, he doesn't get flustered and is smart with the ball in his stick. With the speed to kickstart the fast break off of a ground ball, turnover or clear, defenses always need to make sure they pick him up.    Check out my other two pieces of this series:   <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/10/new-jerseys-top-uncommitted-26s-face-off-specialists/">FOGOs</a>   <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/10/new-jerseys-top-uncommitted-26s-goalies/">Goalies</a>

Use code ‘PREP30′ at checkout to receive 30% off your annual or two-year subscription!

If you missed it, check out my breakdown of six Top Uncommitted New Jersey Goalies for the Class of 2026. Moving right along, next we look at a few guys looking to continue to wreak havoc for their club teams in fall ball and some who have to fight for spots on their high school roster for this spring.