Clamps, Wins and Counters: Top 2027 FOGOs from Naptown

The 2027 face-off group at the Naptown National Challenge had a competitive mix of hard-working players and skilled technicians who made a difference in games. With many closely contested matchups throughout the tournament, gaining possessions at the stripe was crucial, and these specialists stepped up. Whether they were dominating the clamp, exiting with control, or creating transition offense, these FOGOs shined against strong competition.    Little has firmly established himself as one of the premier faceoff specialists in the 2027 class. He's been a constant presence at the summer's top events — including Maverik Showtime, NAL, Naptown, and Main Stage — and has impressed at every stop. His hand speed is elite, routinely beating opponents to the clamp and dictating the terms of the battle at the X. What makes Little even more effective is how cleanly he exits, whether it's popping the ball forward to spark transition or pulling it behind and sealing off ground balls with textbook box-outs. He plays within himself, rarely forcing bad shots, and often looks to distribute quickly to his attack — a subtle but valuable trait that sets him apart.     When Grannum lined up at the faceoff X for Mad Dog, good things happened. By my count, he went 5-for-8 in the Naptown championship game, posting a solid 62.5% win rate. In his wins, he showed strong technique, securing the clamp and either popping the ball to himself or using his wings effectively.   Grannum also displayed physicality, out-muscling his opponent in several battles for the clamp. He has a wide range of moves and consistently scoops up ground balls cleanly on the first try. With continued development in his ball-handling confidence, Grannum has the foundation to be a high-impact faceoff specialist at the next level.     In both the semifinal against Hilltop and the championship game against Mad Dog National in the Naptown Challenge, Jack McBrady showed a strong performance at the faceoff X. When he won draws, it was often because of his quick hands on the clamp and his ability to either pop the ball to himself or effectively involve his wings. In 50/50 scrums, McBrady consistently fought through contact, unafraid to take a hit if it meant gaining possession.   He has a strong mix of size, speed, and ball-handling skills, which makes him a valuable player beyond just winning the clamp. At St. Albans, he regularly competes against Division I-level talent and consistently performs well. McBrady is a 2027 faceoff prospect who should attract more attention from college coaches moving forward.     Standfast performed well at Naptown, especially in a tough match against Evolve Canada, where he won most of his draws by beating his opponents to the clamp. He is technically skilled and has a wide range of counters and adjustments that make it hard for others to predict his moves. What sets Standfast apart is what he does after winning the draw; he is a genuine lacrosse player when he has the ball. He is athletic and calm under pressure, consistently making smart choices and looking like a first-line midfielder once he has it. This combination of toughness at the X and playmaking ability in the open field makes him one of the more complete FOGOs.     Cantor has had an impressive summer with the Annapolis Hawks. He consistently demonstrates quick hands and clean exits at the stripe. He often reaches the clamp first and knows when to scoop the ball himself or goose it to his wings to start a transition. His knack for creating possessions during key moments is notable. When ground balls become scrappy, he isn't afraid to get physical. As he continues to improve his counter moves and expand his skills, Cantor is shaping up to be a promising FOGO with significant long-term potential.

The 2027 face-off group at the Naptown National Challenge had a competitive mix of hard-working players and skilled technicians who made a difference in games. With many closely contested matchups throughout the tournament, gaining possessions at the stripe was crucial, and these specialists stepped up. Whether they were dominating the clamp, exiting with control, or creating transition offense, these FOGOs shined against strong competition.