Empire State Steals: Recent New York Commits, Part II

New York continues to churn out talent, and the latest wave of 2027 commits proves just that. In Part I, we highlighted a handful of Empire State prospects who could be considered steals for their future programs, and the list doesn't stop there. This next group of players brings the same mix of toughness, IQ, and upside that makes New York such a reliable recruiting hotbed. Here's a closer look at more recent commits from the Empire State poised to make an impact at the next level.    Team 91 Long Island has produced plenty of standout defenders in the 2027 class, and [player_tooltip player_id='165258' first='Luke' last='LaRocca'] is among the best of them. He makes his mark with tough team defense and an ability to push transition. On defense, he's physical and confrontational—when he slides, bodies hit the turf and dodgers quickly regret their decisions.   LaRocca is just as impactful after a stop. The moment his goalie makes a save, he's sprinting to spark transition. With his stick skills and poise, he can easily slot into an LSM role, drawing defenders and finishing opportunities himself when they present. LaRocca's blend of physical defense and transition ability makes him a natural fit for Syracuse's up-tempo style of play.     When I first saw [player_tooltip player_id='165249' first='Lee' last='Warren'] at the NAL Summer Invitational, I wrote by his name: “Crafty, rips.” That first impression couldn't have been more accurate. The lefty embodies the Sweetlax Upstate style—fast-twitch dodging, unselfish ball movement, and the ability to let it rip when the moment calls for it.   Warren is a crafty dodger who keeps defenders guessing with sudden posture changes, making it tough to predict whether he's going topside or underneath. Either way, he finds a way to get to his smooth release. He uses every release point in his arsenal on the run, and most impressively, he's shown the ability to elevate his shot in stride, surprising goalies with an on-the-run rip to the upper corners. Saint Joseph's landed a well-rounded lefty playmaker who brings craftiness, speed, and scoring punch.     Towson landed one of the slickest finishers in the 2027 class with [player_tooltip player_id='165254' first='Jack' last='Russo']. His game is as entertaining as it is effective. The first time he stood out to me was at the NAL Summer Invitational, when he pulled off an impressive swim move and finished with a leaning shot that turned heads.   Russo's scoring ability jumps off the page. He can shoot on the run with accuracy, but it's his finishing in tight that truly sets him apart. With quick hands, creativity, and flair, he can get shots off in an instant, often leaving goalies puzzled. Towson is getting a crafty scorer who thrives in tight spaces and knows how to make plays that change games.     The Navy commit embodies the short-stick defensive midfielder role. [player_tooltip player_id='165247' first='Gavin' last='Javetski'] brings the toughness, discipline, and team-first mentality that the Midshipmen look for. On ball, he's difficult to beat, jamming dodgers at the hip and using sharp footwork to stay in front. His left-handedness gives the opponent a different look, and he's scrappy enough on ground balls to thrive on the wings during faceoffs. With solid stick skills, he's also a threat to spark transition.   What really stands out is Javetski's ability as a team defender. While many SSDMs struggle with slides, he times his rotations well and arrives with force to cause turnovers. With his grit, IQ, and versatility, Javetski looks like the kind of defensive midfielder who will thrive in Navy's system.     Army found a potential defensive star in the 6-foot-3 Piddock. Built like an ox, he looks tailor-made for the Black Knights' defense. On-ball, he plays bully ball, imposing his strength and physicality on dodgers. What makes Piddock even more intriguing is his versatility. He's confident handling the ball in the clearing game and has scored plenty of goals in his career. This past spring with South Jefferson, he even took faceoffs with his longpole, showing just how multi-dimensional his game can be. With his size, toughness, and versatility, Piddock projects as a perfect fit for Army's defensive identity.     Navy landed a high-upside defender in [player_tooltip player_id='165256' first='James' last='Griffin'], a true takeaway artist on the summer circuit. He has a knack for timing and landing checks that dislodge the ball—an instinct that's difficult to teach. Combined with his strong footwork and confidence handling the ball, Griffin has the foundation to be a difference-maker. The areas of his game that need refinement are ones the Midshipmen coaching staff will have no trouble developing. If Griffin continues to add strength and polish, Navy may have found a defensive prospect capable of becoming a cornerstone in the years ahead.

New York continues to churn out talent, and the latest wave of 2027 commits proves just that. In Part I, we highlighted a handful of Empire State prospects who could be considered steals for their future programs, and the list doesn't stop there. This next group of players brings the same mix of toughness, IQ, and upside that makes New York such a reliable recruiting hotbed. Here's a closer look at more recent commits from the Empire State poised to make an impact at the next level.