2027 Recruiting Preview: Southern Standouts

The South continues to prove it's producing some of the nation's top young lacrosse talent, and the 2027 class is no exception. From crafty scorers to hard-nosed defenders, this group of Southern standouts has turned heads all summer and could very well be worthy of Division I looks come September. Each has shown the skill, toughness, and upside that projects to the next level—whether it's their ability to create offense, lock down matchups, or make game-changing plays when it matters most. ICYMI, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/07/five-days-on-long-island-southern-standouts-in-the-2027-class">check out Ty Xanders' piece</a> on the nine more of top players from down South coming away from two top events in July.    [player_tooltip player_id='121637' first='Cole' last='Stankavage'] has quickly made his case as one of the best lefty playmakers—and one of the craftiest offensive threats—in the 2027 class. This past spring, he erupted for 45 goals and 27 assists at Ardrey Kell, earning USA Lacrosse All-American honors along with a host of other accolades. Since then, his stock has only continued to rise with Sweetlax, where he's proven himself against elite competition on the national stage. What sets Stankavage apart is the variety in how he attacks defenders. He's smooth, shifty, and unpredictable, constantly changing postures and using violent jabs into the turf to generate separation. Around the crease, he's a creative finisher who finds unique angles, while from the outside, his arsenal of release points keeps goalies frozen. From a sidearm or underhand sling that skips into the far corner, to a last-second snap of the wrists that pulls the ball to the near top corner, Stankavage consistently finds ways to score. Even in his overhand motion, he uses a low windup to bait goalies high before dragging the ball low at the last moment. Stankavage's blend of deceptive dodging, shot-making creativity, and elite finishing ability makes him not only one of the most entertaining players to watch, but also one of the most dangerous scorers in the 2027 class.     Hamner has established himself as one of the premier defensive prospects in the 2027 class. The tall, physical, and confrontational defender is the backbone of the Highland Park defense, setting the tone with his intensity and presence. On-ball, he stays glued to opposing attackmen, using his size and strength to smother dodges while his length allows him to take calculated risks on checks without losing position. When opponents try to test him, he has the power to jam and recover, neutralizing threats before they become dangerous. Off-ball, Hamner is just as effective. His stance is always loaded, ready to pounce on skip passes or clean up ground balls with ease. His size gives him the ability to slide quickly and put ball carriers on the turf without needing an extra step, making him a nightmare for offenses to account for. Mean, skilled, and relentless, Hamner embodies the kind of defender who not only erases matchups but makes opponents think twice about coming his way.     Penn has quickly built a reputation as one of the toughest defenders in the 2027 class. He may not have the prototypical height of some of his peers, but he makes up for it with grit, tenacity, and a punishing style of play. Attackmen who draw his matchup often go home with bruises, whether from his hard slap checks, relentless body checks, or perfectly timed slides. What separates Penn is his ability to dislodge the ball even from the most skilled offensive players. He thrives on taking risks with checks, and more often than not, he comes away with the ball. Once it's on the ground, he's just as comfortable scooping it up and moving it in transition, giving his team instant energy. Penn is a mean, aggressive defender with elite takeaway ability—exactly the kind of competitor who makes life miserable for opposing attackmen.     [player_tooltip player_id='141929' first='Seth' last='Popow'] has quickly emerged as one of the top midfielders in the 2027 class, and the North Carolina product looks like a perfect fit for any college offense that thrives on pace and tempo. He's a true downhill threat—one move and he's by you, exploding past defenders with elite quickness and confidence. Once he gets a step, he can shoot the lights out from range or finish in traffic.What makes Popow so difficult to defend is his combination of speed, strength, and skill. His jab steps create instant separation, giving him a clear lane to the middle of the field for high-quality shots. If defenders overcommit, he can plant, roll back, and fire with either hand, keeping defenses off balance. Add in his ability to get shots off even with a defender draped on him, and you have a midfielder who's nearly impossible to contain. Popow's athleticism, versatility, and two-handed scoring ability make him one of the most dangerous midfielders in the 2027 class—and a player with all the tools to dominate at the next level.     An All-Star at Maverik Swhotime, Carney has established himself as one of the most reliable and disciplined defenders in the South's 2027 class. The Texas product doesn't rely on flashy or risky checks to make his mark—instead, he smothers opposing attackmen with tight coverage and fundamentally sound positioning. Rarely giving up an inch, he forces dodgers to move the ball and eliminates scoring chances before they develop. Carney's game is built on footwork, strength, and discipline. He mirrors dodgers step for step, using physicality to neutralize matchups without overextending. Off the ball, he's just as dependable, sliding with timing and awareness while always staying within the defensive scheme. On the ground, he's clean and efficient, scooping first-time groundballs and quickly sparking transition with smart, high-IQ decisions. Carney's lockdown defense, consistency, and team-first approach make him one of the most trustworthy defenders in the 2027 class—and a player who will thrive at the next level.

The South continues to prove it's producing some of the nation's top young lacrosse talent, and the 2027 class is no exception. From crafty scorers to hard-nosed defenders, this group of Southern standouts has turned heads all summer and could very well be worthy of Division I looks come September. Each has shown the skill, toughness, and upside that projects to the next level—whether it's their ability to create offense, lock down matchups, or make game-changing plays when it matters most.

ICYMI, check out Ty Xanders' piece on the nine more of top players from down South coming away from two top events in July.