2026 Georgia Standout Defensive Players

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Junior Defenders in the State of Georgia</h2>   <p>High School Lacrosse Season is in full swing in Georgia! The class of 2026 boasts a crop of talented players on the defensive side of the ball. Featured, are a few players that have established their presence on the field and have been impact players for their team. These Junior defensemen are players that you will want to keep an eye on this season, and you will anticipate watching next year.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='120091' first='Bennett' last='Booth'] is a high-impact defenseman whose physicality and tenacity set him apart on the field. Committed to the University at Albany, Booth thrives in physical match-ups, never shying away from contact and using his strength to disrupt offenses with hard checks. His exceptional IQ allows him to read the game as it develops and make well-time slides. One of Booth's standout attributes is his speed, which makes him a key asset in transition. He is relentless on ground balls, and he is comfortable and dangerous with the ball in his stick. His combination of physicality, awareness, and athleticism are the reasons he is a leader of Lambert's defense, and why he will be a great addition for Albany.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY4YSvoHh2Y </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='82317' first='Andrew' last='Pascarella'] is an electrifying long-stick midfielder. His agility makes him a problem for opposing offenses, as he covers ground effortlessly and disrupts passing lanes. The Georgetown commit is aggressive on ground balls and, secures possession and immediately pushes transition with confidence. What separates Pascarella from many at his position is his fluidity with the ball in his stick. He handles a long pole with the finesse of a short-stick, evading rides and pressure with quickness and elusiveness. His speed and control in the open field make him a valuable option in the clearing game. More than just a facilitator, Pascarella possesses an offensive mindset. He is comfortable stepping into space and taking advantage of scoring opportunities in unsettled situations. The ability to impact the game on both ends of the field will be a big factor is excelling at the next level.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZlA-1Bx52Y </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Grant Chase is a defenseman and LSM whose fast and aggressive style of play make him a problem on both ends of the field. Committed to Villanova, Chase is a tenacious on-ball defender who is able to stay on his opponent's gloves and throw precise checks, and he is not afraid to throw some risky checks, including an over-the-head stick check. He is keen at finding and securing ground balls, and he is a major threat on the clear and in the transition game. Chase stands out at the LSM because of his two-way ability. Whether stepping into a shot, dodging down the alley, or drawing a slide to feed an open teammate, he forces defenses to respect him. Grant Chase is another player who will be effective on both sides of the field wherever he is playing.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc38k9hlRsE </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Will Lossie is a disciplined and disruptive LSM whose abilities make him an issue for opposing offenses. The Mercer commit plays with a calculated approach, using his athleticism to stay attached to his matchup while waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Lossie is a patient defender who throws surgical and efficient stick checks thrown with the sole purpose of taking the ball away. Lossie's influence isn't limited to his defensive skill set. He plays a crucial role in transition, using his speed and awareness to push the pace and create offensive chances in unsettled situations. His knack for causing turnovers and quickly turning them into scoring opportunities makes him a valuable weapon in any system. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/Ws9UZQtBgN8?si=I7Yc2LbcFRgl3eTD </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Quinn Peacock is a relentless, physical defender who thrives in one-on-one match-ups. Committed to Sacred Heart, he combines disciplined footwork with a strong, physical presence, making him a difficult assignment for any offensive player. His ability to get his hips around quickly and stay square to dodgers, while his stick-work and body positioning allow him to dictate match-ups and disrupt offensive flow. Peacock's impact extends beyond settled defense. His great footwork allow him to match-up with any attack-man or midfielder on the field. He has a great ability to break down and keep up with his opponents on the move. Peacock is tough and is not afraid of contact or physical play, and he often times seeks it out. He is composed in transition, consistently making smart decisions to advance the ball and initiate the clear. All of these skills will translate nicely to the college level.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/QxxbL3tZRsk?si=kYjwKuUav6WN03y- </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Colton Crawford is a prototypical close defenseman, blending physicality with technical precision to anchor the defensive unit for Buford High School. Committed to Mercer, he plays a disciplined yet aggressive style, always looking to force turnovers while maintaining strong positioning. Crawford possesses an incredible ability of finding the ball on the ground off turnovers and turning it into a possession for his team. He is quick and smooth with his stick, easily scooping up ground balls and delivering crisp passes on the clear. His athletic presence gives him a vital role on the clear. Crawford excels in settled and unsettled situations. He slides with intent, arriving with force while remaining controlled, making him a key piece in any defensive rotation. It will be exciting to see what he is able to do at Mercer.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/0wFaC2CNKbs?si=btpwTJTPLFiqf_jI </div></figure>    <p></p>