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<p>While physical measurements usually dominate early recruiting talks, these 2027 offensive players show that skill, IQ, and toughness can more than make up for a lack of size. Whether it's getting past defenders with slick moves, working in tight spaces, or playing with relentless energy, each of these players consistently finds a way to impact the game. They don't succeed despite their size; they succeed because of their unique ability to read the field, think quickly, and perform at a high level.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">A staple for Madlax Capital all weekend, Randles quietly proved himself as one of the most polished and complete X attackmen in the class. The Yorktown product scored 101 points this spring and brought that same blend of poise, vision, and versatility to the NAL Summer Invitational. There aren't many true two-handed X players anymore, which makes Randles such a unique cover. He's just as comfortable starting his plays to his left as to his right, keeping defenders on their toes. He's quick when he dodges and fearless at the end, willing to launch himself around a slide and finish with finesse. He scored with a jump shot around the corner, made a couple of question marks, and seemed equally happy to distribute when the defense slid early. Randles reads defenses well, moves with speed and purpose, and has a calm demeanor that's hard to teach.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Justin Bishop made a strong impression for Hilltop Lax at the Naptown National Challenge. He showcased his quickness and sharp ability to change direction. The Missouri native consistently broke down defenders in one-on-one situations. His foot speed and agility made it difficult for anyone to get a stick on him. Bishop was not just effective with the ball. He also demonstrated his ability to impact the game off the ball, whether by cutting into space or setting smart and physical picks. Against the Annapolis Hawks, he set an excellent slam pick near the goal line that opened up space for a teammate to score easily—a subtle but high-level play. Bishop plays with pace and purpose. His ability to influence the game both on and off the ball makes him a player to keep an eye on in the future.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Jake Johnson played a crucial role in the Thunder offense at the NAL Summer Invitational. He scored in different ways and showcased a complete offensive skill set. He can be a threat from almost anywhere, whether he's dodging, cutting off-ball, or finishing in traffic. As a right-handed player who excels on the sweep, Johnson is both quick and hard to predict at the start of his dodges. He often created space, and once he gained a step, he quickly took his shot. Off-ball, he has a strong grasp of spacing and timing. He consistently made smart decisions, knowing when to fade into open space or cut hard to the goal, and he was rewarded for it more than once. He also demonstrated good touch as a shooter, placing the ball accurately while on the run and in tight situations. Johnson may not be the flashiest player on the field, but his versatility makes him a great fit in any offensive system.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Drew Motta is a left-handed attackman who stands 5'8" and plays with impressive skill. He led his team in assists on the state champion Salesianum team and ranked second in goals and points. Motta earned second-team all-state honors in Delaware and is the son of Jason Motta, a former MLL face-off specialist.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Motta has exceptional vision, which helps him find open cutters and make skip passes effectively. He is also very crafty around the goal. I saw him score on an S-dodge against Sweetlax Florida at the NAL Summer Invitational. He is slippery near the crease and often avoids slides from defenders. Motta can finish in tight with deception and has multiple release points for outside shots. With his combination of skill, creativity, and poise, he has a bright future in the sport.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Despite being listed at just 5'7”, 140 pounds, [player_tooltip player_id='129597' first='Grant' last='Lewis'] makes a living inside ten yards—and doesn't shy away from contact to do it. He scored 44 points (29G/15A) this spring for Pittsford (NY) and continues to be a steady producer for Sweetlax Upstate, one of the top club programs in the country. Lewis is shifty with the ball in his stick and keeps his head up while dodging, but a lot of his damage comes off-ball. He's quick, smart, and has an advanced sense of timing when it comes to slipping into space. He constantly finds soft spots in the defense, and when he gets the ball in tight, he doesn't need power—he simply puts it where the goalie isn't. Lewis's ability to create and convert high-percentage chances, especially off-ball, makes him a tough cover and a valuable piece in any offense.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='129592' first='Brian' last='Medley'] is the type of player whose size works to his advantage—if you can't get your hands on him early, you're in trouble. The St. Dominic's (NY) product racked up 60 points (32G/28A) this spring and backed it up with an explosive showing at the NAL Summer Invitational. Medley is one of the better athletes on the field just about every time he suits up. His ability to change direction is legit, and he's not afraid to leave his feet in tight. On Day Two, he scored on a smooth, shifty question-mark move against Thunder, then followed it up with a highlight-reel diving finish against Mad Dog National—though it was wiped away on a questionable call. He plays with confidence, flair, and toughness, and continues to prove he can put up points against top-level competition.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Listed at 5'4”, [player_tooltip player_id='129594' first='Connor' last='Batterberry'] doesn't just overcome his size; he uses it to create problems for defenders. He forces opponents into awkward, low stances and then uses his quickness and change of speed to run past them. He was a consistent spark for his team at the NAL Summer Invitational, especially when working behind the cage. Batterberry is comfortable going either way and plays with a great sense of rhythm. He scored a smooth righty rollback goal during one game. Throughout the event, he showed excellent vision by regularly finding cutters and threading skip passes through tight openings. He's a skilled playmaker who processes the game quickly. He has the hands, footwork, and intelligence to succeed against bigger matchups.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='121219' first='Michael' last='Goglia'] had a significant impact in the playoffs at the NAL Summer Invitational. He demonstrated why he is such a valuable player for Mad Dog National Black, one of the top clubs in the country. Standing at 5'8”, he often faced tough matchups as a midfielder, yet he managed to make defenses slide by winning his one-on-one battles and moving the ball quickly and effectively. Whether delivering a heads-up pass through X or making a skip pass to the backside, Goglia consistently made the right decision. At the Episcopal School of Dallas, he has been successful initiating plays from behind the cage. He uses hesitation moves and change-of-speed dodges to get into position. He knows how to play within his limits but also understands when to attack and when to pass. He is relentless on the ride, consistently challenging clears and creating second-chance opportunities. He plays with speed, intelligence, and intensity, always looking for ways to give his team an advantage.</p>
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While physical measurements usually dominate early recruiting talks, these 2027 offensive players show that skill, IQ, and toughness can more than make up for a lack of size. Whether it's getting past defenders with slick moves, working in tight spaces, or playing with relentless energy, each of these players consistently finds a way to impact the game. They don't succeed despite their size; they succeed because of their unique ability to read the field, think quickly, and perform at a high level.
HEIGHT
5'7"
WEIGHT
150
POS
A
CLASS
2027
State:
Virginia
School:
Yorktown
Club:
Madlax
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HEIGHT
5'9"
POS
M
CLASS
2027
State:
Missouri
School:
Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School
Club:
Hilltop, Project Missouri
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HEIGHT
5'7"
WEIGHT
160
POS
A/M
CLASS
2027
State:
Georgia
School:
Lambert
Club:
Thunder
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HEIGHT
5'8"
WEIGHT
150
POS
A
CLASS
2027
State:
Delaware
School:
Salesianum
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HEIGHT
5'7"
POS
M
CLASS
2027
State:
New York
School:
Pittsford Mendon
Club:
Sweetlax Upstate
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HEIGHT
5'6"
POS
A
CLASS
2027
State:
New York
School:
St Dominic’s
Club:
Long Island Express
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HEIGHT
5'4"
POS
M
CLASS
2027
State:
New York
School:
Sayville
Club:
Legacy
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HEIGHT
5'8"
WEIGHT
165
POS
A/M
CLASS
2027
State:
Texas
School:
Episcopal School Of Dallas
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