New Jersey's Top Uncommitted '26s: Face-Off Specialists

Use code ‘PREP30′ at checkout to receive 30% off your annual or two-year subscription!    With September 1 having passed a little over a month ago, a ton of talent is still on the board for the Class of 2026. Let's look at a few skilled face-off specialists who are still uncommitted and that were not mentioned in my article on <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2024/08/class-of-2026-new-jersey-face-off-specialists-to-watch/">Top FOGOs in NJ for the 2026 class</a>.    Minardo will get some more production this spring, with senior Ryan Trafford (Navy) having graduated, it looks like Minardo and an Ivy League-bound junior will be splitting time at the face-off X and could be a great two-man punch for the Green Wave. Minardo is strong and athletic with quick hands on the whistle and can win the face-off in any direction comfortably. Going up against top competition in the summer playing for Leading Edge, Minardo shows he wants it more on the 50/50 ground balls and how he hustles for loose balls. His motor seems to never stop and he doesn't give up on plays. When he can pinch-and-pop forward, he has good speed to kickstart a fast break and has shown the ability to be a threat with the ball. He won eleven face-offs at a 55% clip as a sophomore at Delbarton.     Colin Byam had a great sophomore season for Madison High School, totaling 159 face-off wins at 60% and adding 114 ground balls, 8 goals, and 2 assists in the process. He also recorded ten games where he was over 60% from the X. He is a scrappy FOGO, who has good ground ball skills and a strong base to help him box out opponents. He can get the ball up-and-out quickly and is able to ignite the offense with his superb stick skills and handling ability. He doesn't get nervous with the ball in his stick, he actually likes it and will set up a dodge in a set offense if he likes his matchup. He is set to be the clear-cut main option for Madison once again this spring and he should get a lot of attention in the recruiting process.     Lewis took every face-off for Princeton Day last spring and did a great job, logging 288 wins at 83% with 127 ground balls. The 3-star recruit shows good fundamentals at the face-off X and seems to like to pop the ball forward as opposed to between his legs when he gets the clamp. He's athletic with good speed in the open field and plays smart with the ball in his stick on the fast breaks. He won't force a tough shot or try to thread the needle with a pass, instead, he will dump it off and let the offense work. He does pose a threat to the defense, however, he proved that with 5 goals and 5 assists last spring. Lewis should get a lot of looks from colleges and he will look to impress scouts with the large workload he is likely to see again this spring.     After getting some varsity experience as a freshman, Vanderbeck was thrown into the spotlight as a sophomore and shined for Watchung Hills. He tallied 165 face-off wins at a 57% clip and scooped 97 ground balls. He has a good mix of size, strength, and speed at the face-off position to make it tough on opposing FOGOs. He has a quick reaction to the whistle and shows good control and instincts when he finds a spot to pop it out to. He gets low on ground balls and has the ability to handle the ball with pressure if needed. He makes the right plays with the ball and will push it in transition if he sees a chance, but it seems like he prefers to let the offense get set up. He didn't score at all last spring, but he will challenge goalies with a shot to make sure they respect his ability.     Coming off of a 13-3 season and making it all the way to the Group 4 state finals, Eastern will look to replicate things this spring. With Kevin Duffy (Stevens) having graduated, Marc Brocious is in prime position to take the lead at the face-off X for the Vikings this spring. Totaling one goal, three assists, and 94 face-off wins at 63%, Brocious has good size and was productive with the time given last season. He has shown that he can use his quick hands off the jump with his smooth release out of the clamp to be successful. He looks to win it forward and push the ball in transition. He can handle the ball and has a hard shot when he lets it fly, but he looks to find the point man or a skip pass when an unsettled opportunity comes. He ended up with a 72% win rate this summer for Silverbacks Lacrosse and will look to continue that momentum into the fall and later, the spring.

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