Midseason Big Board: Class of 2025 Face-off Specialists

It's officially NFL Draft day, so what better time than now to unveil the first in our series of positional Big Boards for the senior class? The 2025 face-off class features one of the more intriguing and diverse groups of specialists in recent memory. With a blend of athleticism, technical skill, offensive skill, and mental toughness, this is a group that stands out for its ability to do multiple things at an exceptional level. Things can and will change between now and the unveiling of our final Class of 2025 rankings, but for now, here's a glimpse at Prep Lacrosse's Top 20 face-off specialists in the country —  check back on Friday for writeups on players ranked 6 through 10.   1. [player_tooltip player_id='14521' first='Aidan' last='Diaz-Matos'] | Brunswick (Conn.) | Notre Dame The most complete face-off recruit in the class, Diaz-Matos was the position's most coveted recruit in the class heading into 9/1 and has only gotten more dominant, showing his overall commitment to his craft. A smooth operator who seamlessly wins clamps and explodes into his exits, he's super technical and always in control at the X. Possessing a blend of power, finesse, and athleticism, Diaz-Matos is also excellent with the ball, routinely taking the ball to the rack himself. Battle-tested against Brunswick's grueling schedule, expect Diaz-Matos to step in and be Notre Dame's guy upon Will Lynch's graduation.   2. [player_tooltip player_id='14516' first='Quinn' last='Ball'] | Chaminade (N.Y.) | Penn Off to an excellent start in 2025, Ball is as consistent as they come and is approaching five-star status, having put forth dominant performances in every outing thus far as a senior. Simply put, you know what you're getting when Ball trots out to the face-off dot: sheer athleticism, technical prowess, toughness, and a relentless competitive drive. Arguably the best clamper in the class, he gets low in his stance and has perfectly executed exits. His arrival at Penn couldn't come at a better time, as the Quakers have faced off below 45 percent in 2025.   3. [player_tooltip player_id='14566' first='Ben' last='Cuomo'] | Calvert Hall (Md.) | Yale Arguably the most improved of the '25 face-off class, Cuomo has won nearly 80 percent as a senior, which is ridiculous considering the strength of the Cardinals' schedule. Tough as nails and thriving in extended scrums, he's outstanding when the draw doesn't go clean, digging in and coming on top through sheer grit. He brings a lunchpail mentality to the face-off X and never gives up on a ground ball, showing a competitive edge and hard-nosed mindset at all times. Cuomo fits the bill of a Yale face-off specialist in every sense and is sure to bolster the Bulldogs' unit upon his matriculation to New Haven.   4. [player_tooltip player_id='19547' first='Tay' last='Rodriguez'] | Culver (Ind.) | Michigan With shades of Luke Wierman in his game, Rodriguez is one of the most versatile athletes in the class. Also a standout on the football field, his footwork and agility show a broader athletic background, and he becomes an offensive threat as soon as the ball's in his stick. He plays the position with an edge and fluidity, capable of adjusting to whatever style his opponent brings. Rodriguez, an Illinois native, is a tone-setter on the field and an ideal fit for Michigan's aggressive face-off philosophy.   5. [player_tooltip player_id='14541' first='Griff' last='Meyer'] | Haverford (Pa.) | Virginia Physically, Meyer is a muscle hamster bound to get after program records in Virginia's weight room. When healthy, he's been as good as anyone. Recently returning to action, Meyer has helped provide extra possessions for the Fords after biding his time and splitting reps with the top-ranked '24 face-off specialist earlier in his career. Strong, twitchy, and explosive, his power off the clamp is unmatched, and he's lights out once he gets leverage. Meyer's upside is considerable, and now that he's back on the field, he has the luxury of working with first-year Haverford assistant TD Ierlan each day at practice.   6. [player_tooltip player_id='14523' first='Russell' last='Fitzgerald'] | Taft (Conn.) | Princeton   7. [player_tooltip player_id='20925' first='Eli' last='Friedman'] | Belmont Hill (Mass.) | Cornell   8. [player_tooltip player_id='14569' first='Dylan' last='Furshman'] | Benjamin (Fla.) | Brown   9. [player_tooltip player_id='14571' first='Vincent' last='Gaylord'] | Avon Old Farms (Conn.) | Richmond   10. [player_tooltip player_id='123043' first='Hayden' last='Cody'] | Loomis Chaffee (Conn.) PG | Georgetown   11. [player_tooltip player_id='24149' first='Cooper' last='Revis'] | Bullis (Md.) | Princeton   12. [player_tooltip player_id='19167' first='Kyle' last='Hata'] | Choate (Conn.) | Maryland   13. [player_tooltip player_id='20825' first='Alex' last='Swinnie'] | Lawrenceville (N.J.) | Johns Hopkins   14. [player_tooltip player_id='28069' first='Scott' last='Conte'] | Don Bosco (N.J.) | Delaware   15. [player_tooltip player_id='127346' first='Bryan' last='Folsom'] | St. Paul's (N.H.) | Lehigh   16. [player_tooltip player_id='127342' first='Luke' last='Cascadden'] | Garden City (N.Y.) | Navy   17. [player_tooltip player_id='127340' first='Zach' last='Arbuckle'] | Trinity-Pawling (N.Y.) | Penn State   18. [player_tooltip player_id='52847' first='Michael' last='Ramirez'] | Pope John XXIII (N.J.) | Boston U.   19. [player_tooltip player_id='127338' first='Ryan' last='O'Connor'] | Moorestown (N.J.) | Villanova   20. [player_tooltip player_id='127336' first='Dylan' last='Baumgarth'] | Northport (N.Y.) | Dartmouth

It's officially NFL Draft day, so what better time than now to unveil the first in our series of positional Big Boards for the senior class?

The 2025 face-off class features one of the more intriguing and diverse groups of specialists in recent memory. With a blend of athleticism, technical skill, offensive skill, and mental toughness, this is a group that stands out for its ability to do multiple things at an exceptional level.

Things can and will change between now and the unveiling of our final Class of 2025 rankings, but for now, here's a glimpse at Prep Lacrosse's Top 20 face-off specialists in the country — check back on Friday for writeups on players ranked 6 through 10.