Central Ohio All-State Watchlist

Here is my Spring 2025 All-State watchlist for Central Ohio. This list features a mix of Division I and Division II players. I have highlighted a selection of players at the top, and below, I've included many other notable names.    Ohio's Player of the Year and an All-American in 2024, Struck is a top-level contributor to both his football and hockey teams, while also excelling on the lacrosse field. Athletes like him are rare, and he is sure to leave a lasting impression in Central Ohio. Struck can match up against anyone and is the biggest offensive threat in the region, a player who has the ability to take over games. I am excited to see how his season unfolds.     Hawkins was an All-American in '24 and is arguably the best goalie to emerge from Ohio in recent years. He has been making big plays since his freshman year, and I expect this season to be no different. He is as reliable as they come and remains calm under pressure. You can see how much he enjoys playing the game. Hawkins rarely makes mistakes and is incredibly difficult to score against, using impressively quick reactions and movements. If Kilbourne has a strong season, you can bet he will be a major factor in that success. A true game changer.     Gehlert is recognized as one of the best two-way players in the state, having been named the SSDM Player of the Year in Ohio's Division 1. He is a significant threat in transition; he can clear the ball and make an impact on the offensive end. Gehlert is the type of player who makes things happen on the field. He can force turnovers, draw slides, score, and plays exceptional on-ball defense. Overall, he stands out as one of the top talents in the state for his versatility and grit.     Musgrove is a crafty player who can quickly create space on the field. He has a high lax IQ, allowing him to recognize opportunities in real time. His shots have both range and power, and he's accurate; if you give him space, he will capitalize on it. He doesn't need much room to make an impact. I really like how he recognizes space during crease wraps. Musgrove can score from all areas of the offensive zone, watching him play is entertaining.     Lee plays with energy and enthusiasm for the game. He is aggressive and can create turnovers at a moment's notice, and he has excellent recognition of opportunities and seizes them without hesitation. He can play at a fast pace and at a high level. His checks are well-timed and calculated, and he knows exactly where to make contact. Very athletic, he takes advantage of mismatches and capitalizes on opportunities. His breakdown and positioning are elite, and his stickwork is exceptional.     Nardone is a hard-nosed defender who has the ability to go toe-to-toe with anyone on the field. He doesn't shy away from making plays on the offensive end either. His athleticism makes him an asset in transition, as he can both score and push the ball up the field. He throws strong checks and uses relentless pressure; if the ball hits the ground, he's a good bet to be the first to pick it up. Nardone possesses all the necessary intangibles and will be a significant contributor for Jerome this season.     Morgan is a player who can really make you pay with his feet. He has high-level field awareness and knows exactly where he needs to be and when. He doesn't hold onto the ball for too long and has a powerful shot, showcasing range and a quick release. His speed makes it challenging for defenders to keep up with him, and he moves really well off-ball. When possible, he uses defenders as screens and is capable of scoring with both his right and left. My favorite aspect of Morgan's game is how he changes his tempo when dodging, making him difficult to contain.     Godwin effectively reads the stick and positions himself well in relation to the shooter, covering a large portion of the net. His positioning is very intentional, and he demonstrates a good understanding of the game and a high Lax IQ. He reacts really well to close shots and has soft hands. I like his patience when clearing the ball, he has a solid outlet pass. Additionally, he has the speed to make plays outside of the cage.     Fisher is a skilled scorer who currently holds the Kilbourne career points record with 289, and the career goals record with 170. In 2024, he was also named an Academic All-American. Fischer has quality footwork and is creative with the ball. He makes defenders work hard and takes advantage of poor body positioning. Whether distributing the ball or shooting, he is decisive and quick to act when he sees an opportunity.     Stamp is force on the defensive end, disrupting passing lanes and causing turnovers. He delivers solid checks that interfere with offensive players during their decision-making, making them think twice about their next move. He maintains a rock-solid stance and can match up against high-level opponents. Stamp is highly aware of his surroundings on the field and is very active off-ball, making heads-up plays from wherever he is. Overall, he is an opportunistic team player.     Burns possesses an explosive stutter step and is effective at shooting the ball while in motion. He has power behind his shots, giving him the ability to score from long range. He is an athlete that does not give up on plays, which I really appreciate. His hustle shines through on both offense and defense, making the opposing players work hard. He distributes the ball well and works hard off-ball. Overall, he is a well-rounded player that is ready to make some noise.     Michels is a talented athlete who is difficult to shake on defense. He has a very active stick, with which he applies pressure on opponents and capitalizes on their weak ball protection. When he has the ball, he is difficult to catch. He handles the ball well and excels in ground ball situations. Additionally, he can initiate transition plays and is extremely fast. Last year, he was named Second Team All-State.     Lowe uses his strength to stop opponents in their tracks and delivers powerful, disruptive checks to ball carriers. He is relentless. His athleticism allows him to match his opponents' speed, it also allows him to execute well-timed slides. He is opportunistic and boasts a strong all-around skill set. He maintains composure under pressure while handling the ball and is a threat in transition.     Lanfersiek has excellent positioning and uses his height to his advantage, especially when facing low-angle shots. He shows a strong understanding of his spacing in the net and tracks the ball well from a distance. Quick to react to close shots, he gets his body in front of the ball whenever possible. Lanfersiek challenges shooters and does not give up a lot of easy goals. Additionally, he is athletic and can make plays outside the crease. Overall, he is a solid goalkeeper capable of making flashy saves.     Hayes is a talented multisport athlete who earned the title of LSM of the Year during his freshman season. He has the ability to identify and seize opportunities, making him a very active player who can create turnovers and score goals. He is a valuable asset on both ends of the field. Hayes tests his opponents, quickly determining if they are uncomfortable and then exploiting those weaknesses. He's a ground ball maniac and a standout player who still has plenty of room for growth.     I believe Sebert possesses the qualities for a breakout season. He is an athletic player who can run the entire field, and is efficient on the offensive end. He makes hustle plays and does a nice job of protecting his stick when under pressure. Sebert also has a powerful outside shot and the ability to score around the crease, he's tough to defend. In 2024, he scored 21 goals and recorded 14 assists.     I was impressed watching Esguerra this past spring, and I believe he could have a fantastic season. He is a talented goalkeeper and is above average for the '27 class. He looks very confident in net. He is patient before the shot and reacts quickly to the ball, near or far. Additionally, he does an excellent job of maintaining his positioning and covering the net; he's very steady. He has quick feet and quick hands, and he sees the ball well.     Cramer is a strong defender who utilizes his size on defense. He positions his stick in passing lanes, and his initial check sets the tone for his matchups. He applies pressure by leading with his stick and closing the gap, making it challenging for opponents to dodge on him or maneuver around him. Cramer can also advance the ball up the field with a strong stride, contributing to transition play. Watch out for this defender.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Midfield</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='82294' first='Jake' last='Braun'] of Upper Arlington / True Lacrosse   [player_tooltip player_id='35621' first='Wally' last='Swiney'] of Upper Arlington / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='23546' first='Gavin' last='Dean'] of Dublin Jerome / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='124077' first='Darren' last='Seikel'] of Dublin Jerome / True Lacrosse   [player_tooltip player_id='124507' first='Trey' last='Davis'] of St. Charles / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='124081' first='Beckett' last='Long'] of Granville   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Faceoff</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='37811' first='Luke' last='Mulder'] of Olentangy Liberty / True Lacrosse   [player_tooltip player_id='124512' first='William' last='Schauss'] of Upper Arlington   [player_tooltip player_id='123396' first='Noah' last='Roche'] of Hilliard Davidson / Resolute   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Attack</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='35510' first='Davis' last='Pyser'] of Dublin Jerome / True Lacrosse   [player_tooltip player_id='35592' first='Jackson' last='Bates'] of Dublin Jerome / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='24293' first='Thomas' last='Tyack'] of Worthington Kilbourne / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='120371' first='Declan' last='Ryan'] of Worthington Kilbourne / True Lacrosse   [player_tooltip player_id='37808' first='Jack' last='Caine'] of Upper Arlington / True Lacrosse   [player_tooltip player_id='35702' first='Landon' last='Whalen'] of Hilliard Darby / Haymakers   [player_tooltip player_id='124671' first='Spencer' last='Lay'] of Olentangy   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defense and Long-Stick Midfield</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='124079' first='Gus' last='Mossman'] of Dublin Coffman / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='124639' first='Alex' last='Kuri'] of Olentangy / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='124504' first='Jason' last='Milo'] of Upper Arlington / True Lacrosse   [player_tooltip player_id='35619' first='Cal' last='Casey'] of Upper Arlington   [player_tooltip player_id='124502' first='Antonio' last='Kish'] of Olentangy Liberty / True Lacrosse   [player_tooltip player_id='124634' first='Peter' last='Aronshteyn'] of Hilliard Davidson / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='124678' first='Matt' last='Rosen'] of Granville / True Lacrosse   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goaltenders</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='21910' first='Vance' last='Ames'] of Hilliard Davidson / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='21914' first='Dominic' last='Parini'] of Thomas Worthington / Resolute   [player_tooltip player_id='124513' first='Sam' last='Horne'] of Bexley

Here is my Spring 2025 All-State watchlist for Central Ohio. This list features a mix of Division I and Division II players. I have highlighted a selection of players at the top, and below, I've included many other notable names.