2027 Stock Risers: Defenders You Need to Know

The 2027 defensive class continues to impress with depth, versatility, and toughness across the board. Whether it was at Main Stage, the National All-Star Games, or other top events this summer, these poles consistently made their mark, causing turnovers, pushing transition, and showing the kind of upside that will draw attention this fall. Several of these players used strong summer performances to elevate their stock as legitimate college prospects. Here are a handful of 2027 defenders who stood out on the national circuit.    Jake Goodwin is coming off a strong spring (40 caused turnovers, 51 ground balls), and his stock has only continued to rise after standout performances at Main Stage and with Hilltop. He's the kind of defender players avoid dodging thanks to his impressive size, physicality, athleticism, and relentless edge. Whether it's on-ball or off-ball, he finds ways to generate turnovers and push transition. He's also extremely confident with the ball in his stick, finishing his spring with 15 points for Lawrence while serving as a sophomore captain. Goodwin checks every box for a Division I defensive prospect.     He's an athlete with good size and depth to his game. On-ball, he's mean and physical, with the ability to create turnovers in multiple ways. Off-ball, he plays his angles well and shows great timing on his slides. He also has a great stick and made a couple of impressive reads in the clearing game while playing with Team Maryland at the National All-Star Games. O'Day brings a mix of toughness and feel that makes him a strong prospect to watch in the 2027 class.     Miles Donahue has performed well throughout the events where I've seen him. What stands out most is his versatility—he's capable of playing with a short stick, which speaks to his footwork and physicality. On-ball, he makes life difficult for dodgers with heavy slap checks and well-timed takeaway attempts. He's a beast between the lines and brings energy in transition. I saw him score a goal with a shortstick at Best in Class and later put one away with his pole in the Main Stage All-Star Game. Donahue brings a lot to the table and makes things happen on both ends.     Jax Winstead is one of the more fundamentally sound defenders in the 2027 class and continues to improve every time he steps on the field. His defensive approach is textbook—he stays low in his stance, moves his feet well, and rarely overextends with stick checks. That discipline helps him win matchups without relying on risky plays. At the National All-Star Games with Team Maryland, he also impressed in the clearing game, showing poise under pressure and the ability to read and hit open targets in transition. Winstead's IQ, footwork, and stick skills give him a strong foundation, and he's the type of defender who will keep elevating as the game speeds up at the next level.     Malkin first stood out to me for his timely double teams with the Annapolis Hawks at The Countdown. For his off-ball defense, he's great at hunting turnovers and putting players on the ground. On the ball, he has the strength and technique to be disruptive—he had 60 caused turnovers this spring with St. Andrew's. He's physical, aggressive, and knows when to throw the right check. Steele plays with intensity and feels like a player who's just scratching the surface.     Kehl has a lot of traits that will catch college coaches' attention come September, but one of the first things you notice is how vocal he is—loud, consistent, and always engaged. A three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and football, Kehl moves well for his size and has the athleticism to cover ground and match up with midfielders. He uses his length effectively to get into passing lanes and throw disruptive checks. He also has a steady stick and makes smart decisions in the clearing game. Kehl brings both leadership and tools that will translate well to the next level.

The 2027 defensive class continues to impress with depth, versatility, and toughness across the board. Whether it was at Main Stage, the National All-Star Games, or other top events this summer, these poles consistently made their mark, causing turnovers, pushing transition, and showing the kind of upside that will draw attention this fall. Several of these players used strong summer performances to elevate their stock as legitimate college prospects. Here are a handful of 2027 defenders who stood out on the national circuit.