2027s: The Next Wave of Face-Off Talent

The 2027 face-off class may not be as elite at the top, but it's shaping up to be deep and promising, and a handful of specialists locked in commitments to Ivy League programs this week. This group isn't just technically sound—they bring athleticism, toughness, and the ability to make plays after the whistle. With their combination of skill and upside, it's no surprise that college coaches have taken early notice of this group.    McClintock had plenty of eyes on him this summer as he split reps with one of the top-ranked faceoff specialists in the 2027 class. He held his own under the spotlight against some of the nation's best and proved he can thrive in high-level competition. Now committed to Harvard, McClintock is a quick, athletic FOGO who reads his wings well. His tape isn't filled with just pinch-and-pops—he can win the ball in different directions to set up teammates, and he gets to ground balls fast. His stickwork is reliable, and he makes smart decisions with possession, knowing when to move it and when to push transition. With his skill set and upside, the Crimson are getting a face-off specialist who has the tools to impact the game well beyond the X.     Expected to announce his commitment to an Ivy institution in the coming days, Borgen is a face-off specialist you can't miss. At 6'3", 230 pounds, he's an absolute unit, making him nearly impossible to move at the X. His size allows him to dictate the physical battle after the initial clamp, wearing down opponents over the course of a game. What really makes Borgen effective, though, is his depth of technique. His catalog of exits and counters is extensive, giving him an answer for nearly every situation. He can win it forward to spark transition, but his bread and butter is popping the ball between his legs—either to himself or to a waiting wing—for clean possessions. With his blend of size, skill, and poise, Borgen fits the exact profile of a faceoff specialist who can thrive in the Ivy League and make an immediate impact.     This summer, one faceoff specialist stood out for his unique playmaking ability—so much so that I had to make sure he wasn't listed as a midfielder. Julien Watts stands out for his playmaking ability, making him a legitimate scoring threat that forces defenses to respect him beyond the X. Technically sound with a strong base and low center of gravity, Watts consistently wins leverage. Even when he doesn't secure the initial clamp, he makes life difficult for opponents in the exits and the ground ball battle. It's no surprise Yale secured his commitment—Watts was a name I circled this summer, and college coaches did too.     Cornell landed a steal in Tommy Mahoney, a faceoff specialist with as much long-term potential as anyone in the class. A former two-way midfielder with a strong wrestling background, Mahoney only recently committed full-time to the X, and it shows in his blend of toughness, leverage, and athleticism. That background gives him a natural edge in hand fighting and body control, while his midfield experience makes him dangerous in transition. The best part of his game is his competitiveness—he thrives on battling for ground balls and rarely backs down. At Pearl River, he hovered around 70% on faceoffs this past season, and that number should continue to rise as he heads into his junior year.     Zgrodnik brings a rare blend of athleticism, size, strength, and speed to the face-off X, giving him all the tools to be a difference-maker at the next level. He's quick on the whistle and can dominate with a reliable pinch-and-pop, using it to push the ball in multiple directions and keep opponents guessing. Once the ball is in his possession, Zgrodnik's physical traits give him the edge against aggressive defenders—he's tough to jar off balance and strong enough to power through checks. He reads transition well, knowing when to move the ball to his teammates and when to pull up and let it fly if defenses lock off. With his mix of power, quickness, and awareness, Zgrodnik projects as a face-off specialist who can control possessions and create offense at the next level.

The 2027 face-off class may not be as elite at the top, but it's shaping up to be deep and promising, and a handful of specialists locked in commitments to Ivy League programs this week. This group isn't just technically sound—they bring athleticism, toughness, and the ability to make plays after the whistle. With their combination of skill and upside, it's no surprise that college coaches have taken early notice of this group.