Empire State Steals: Recent New York Commits, Part I

Some of New York's most recent Class of 2027 commits outside of the Top 100 may have flown a bit under the radar, but that doesn't mean they're not worthy of being highlighted. At Prep Lacrosse, we haven't covered these players as much as they've deserved, yet the college programs that secured their commitments clearly recognized their value.   Each of these prospects brings a skill set that reflects why college coaches continue to recruit from New York heavily. Here's a closer look at a group of recent Empire State commits who could turn out to be major steals.    Rutgers may have landed one of the biggest steals in the 2027 class with the commitment of [player_tooltip player_id='127558' first='Gavin' last='O'Brien']. The 6'0 midfielder/attackman piled up 41 goals and 36 assists during his sophomore season at Northport, then carried that momentum into an impressive summer across multiple events.   O'Brien can hurt defenses in a variety of ways. He stretches the field with an outside shot delivered from an unorthodox sidearm release, and he's just as dangerous inside with creativity and deception around the crease. When he played attack in the spring, he showed impressive vision and unselfishness as a feeder, while also demonstrating a knack for getting to the middle and generating high-quality chances.   What makes O'Brien such an exciting pickup for the Scarlet Knights is his versatility—he can impact a game at both attack and midfield—and the fact that he's still growing into his frame after his growth spurt. With his blend of scoring, playmaking, and upside, O'Brien has all the makings of an underrated find who could develop into a key piece for Rutgers.     Pizzo's off-ball IQ and scoring instincts make him a true steal for Cornell. He first caught my eye at Main Stage this summer when he caught a pass on a sprint-fade action behind the cage and finished with his off-hand up the hashes—a play that perfectly represents his game.   At Chaminade in the spring, Pizzo found ways to score off ball by exploiting defensive lapses. He times his flashes to the ball well, takes advantage of defenders who lose focus, and creates easy scoring chances through smart cuts. His finishing ability stands out too; when he goes top shelf, he uses a deceptive low windup that pulls goalies down before beating them high. Cornell is getting a smart, crafty scorer with a proven track record of producing against strong defenses.     Michigan may have found a real steal in its recent commit from Long Island. A crafty defender with a high lacrosse IQ, Farrell stands out both on and off the ball. On ball, he is relentless, using a variety of nagging checks to disrupt matchups and an arsenal of moves to dislodge the ball. Once it's on the ground, he's quick to scoop it up and push transition the other way.   Off ball, Farrell shows strong awareness, timing his slides well and capitalizing when he spots a vulnerable matchup. His athleticism allows him to cover ground and make plays all over the field, and as he continues to add strength to his frame, his ceiling only gets higher. With his defensive skill set, athleticism, and playmaking ability, Farrell has the tools to be one of the more underrated finds in Michigan's 2027 class.     Rutgers made a smart bet on Conley, a player on a clear upward trajectory with no glaring holes in his game. At 6'2 with a multi-sport background, Conley brings a blend of athleticism and fundamentals that translates well to the defensive end. On-ball, he showcases strong footwork, stays low in an athletic stance, and makes life difficult for opposing dodgers.   As a team defender, Conley shines with his slide timing and his ability to generate turnovers when helping. He's equally reliable in the clearing game, handling the ball with confidence and showing the athleticism to push it over the midline when needed. With his size, multi-sport athleticism, and well-rounded defensive game, Conley looks like an underrated pickup who could develop into a reliable piece for Rutgers.     Diamond is the kind of competitor every team wants on its roster. He brings a well-rounded skill set and plays with an edge that makes him difficult to contain. A relentless dodger, Diamond uses speed, strength, and a deep arsenal of moves to put defenders on their heels. His rapid change of direction allows him to shake matchups, and he's comfortable using his off hand to shoot with confidence or feed open teammates.   Diamond is equally dangerous when defenses overcommit—he thrives on re-dodges and punishes defenders who fail to stay disciplined. His shooting ability also jumps off the page, as he generates heavy velocity both with his feet set and on the run. High Point landed an underrated gem in Diamond, a versatile playmaker whose competitiveness and scoring punch should translate well at the next level.

Some of New York's most recent Class of 2027 commits outside of the Top 100 may have flown a bit under the radar, but that doesn't mean they're not worthy of being highlighted. At Prep Lacrosse, we haven't covered these players as much as they've deserved, yet the college programs that secured their commitments clearly recognized their value.