Best in Class: 2027 Defenders Who Can Also Fill the Net

While defense is their calling card, these 2027 standouts at the Best in Class event proved they're far from one-dimensional. Whether it was scoring in transition, staying on for extended offensive possessions, or making plays with the ball in their stick, this group of long poles and short-stick midfielders showed they can impact the game in every phase. They play tough, physical defense, dominate ground ball battles, and—most impressively—can put the ball in the back of the net. These are the kind of players who bring real value between the boxes and make coaches take notice.    Few LSMs brought as much energy and versatility to the Best in Class event as Cassidy. He's a fluid athlete with excellent off-ball awareness and the stick skills to make an impact in all areas of the field. Two plays in particular stood out during his time in Chase Fieldhouse. First, he stayed on after a clear and finished off a possession with a crafty goal, delivering a smooth twister shot that got the sidelines buzzing. Later, he showcased his defensive instincts by sliding into help position and landing a perfectly timed check for a clean takeaway. With his blend of IQ, athleticism, and offensive upside, Cassidy plays the kind of dynamic LSM game that college coaches are actively looking for.     Mason Perry saved his best for Day Two at the 2027 Best in Class event. His speed popped off the field—he consistently beat everyone to ground balls and set the tone with his hustle. Perry capped his strong day with a highlight moment, scoring just before the final buzzer in the third game to put an exclamation point on his performance. Defensively, he was aggressive and disruptive, applying constant pressure and showing that he's more than capable of creating turnovers. With his combination of speed, physicality, and clutch playmaking, Perry proved he's a name to know in the 2027 class.     Among a deep group of SSDMs at the Best in Class event, Tate Fontanazza stood out as one of the most fundamentally sound and reliable in the 2027 class. He was consistently tough to beat in one-on-one matchups, showing excellent footwork and body positioning. One memorable moment came when he threw a slick chicken wing check that made an opposing midfielder think twice about dodging him again. Fontanazza also showed a knack for coming out of ground ball scrums with possession—just one more way he impacted the game. He's more than just a defensive specialist, too. He scored in transition and even created offense in settled six-on-six sets, proving he's a true two-way threat. College coaches looking for a complete SSDM will want to keep close tabs on him.     AJ Dellorco made his presence felt all over the field with his high motor and versatility. What stood out most was his ability to stay on the field and contribute during extended offensive possessions—something you don't always see from an LSM. He even cashed in with a crafty backhanded goal, showing off his stick skills and confidence under pressure. Dellorco is a smooth ball handler who can keep the ball moving and make smart decisions in transition. He also made a big impact on the wings, scooping up ground balls off the faceoff and helping tilt the possession game in his team's favor. Coaches at the next level will love his ability to play fast, smart, and across multiple phases of the game.     Jordan Carrasquillo was one of the most explosive athletes at the 2027 Best in Class event—and the testing numbers backed it up. Already drawing interest from Division I football programs, Carrasquillo brought that elite-level athleticism to the lacrosse field and made an immediate impact. Though listed as a midfielder, he projects as a high-ceiling SSDM who could contribute early at the next level. He plays with a physical edge, highlighted by a punishing cross-check jam that made dodging on him a tall task. He was a presence between the boxes, scooping up ground balls and triggering transition. And when he had space, he wasn't shy about letting it fly—his heavy shot adds another layer to his game. Carrasquillo's rare blend of toughness, speed, and versatility makes him one of the more intriguing two-way prospects in the 2027 class.     [player_tooltip player_id='129196' first='Brady' last='Callahan'] brought a physical edge to the 2027 Best in Class event and quickly established himself as one of the toughest SSDMs to beat. If you don't have top-end speed, good luck—Callahan will jam you up and force you to move the ball. He looked completely comfortable operating on an island, embracing the challenge of one-on-one matchups with confidence and grit. His game is built on toughness and physicality, but he also showed flashes of offensive ability. On a few occasions, he pushed in transition and initiated with some assertive dodges, proving he's more than just a defensive stopper. Callahan plays with a chip on his shoulder and offers the kind of two-way potential that programs at the next level will value.

While defense is their calling card, these 2027 standouts at the Best in Class event proved they're far from one-dimensional. Whether it was scoring in transition, staying on for extended offensive possessions, or making plays with the ball in their stick, this group of long poles and short-stick midfielders showed they can impact the game in every phase. They play tough, physical defense, dominate ground ball battles, and—most impressively—can put the ball in the back of the net. These are the kind of players who bring real value between the boxes and make coaches take notice.