UNLTD Select 2026 - The Holiday Prospect Wish List

As the fall club season wraps and the holidays approach, every coach in the country starts building a wish list — players they'd want on their roster if they could take on anyone, anywhere, at any time. In that same spirit, this is my UNLTD Select 2026 Dream Team — a roster I'd go into any tournament with. These aren't players I've covered before; they represent fresh faces from powerhouse regions like New York, Maryland, and Connecticut.   This group leads a class built on execution, pedigree, and next-level readiness. The 2026s embody consistency, development, and value creation heading into varsity spring.   While UNLTD Select currently develops younger athletes beginning with the 2029 division, this list imagines what the brand's elite 2026 unit would look like if it expanded — a team defined by skill, poise, and purpose. This group reflects quality that scales — grounded in fundamentals but built for the highest level of competition. Heading into the winter, these are the names that would top any coach's ‘must-have' list...    A projected four-year starter for Yorktown and a returning team captain, Hunter Mezzatesta has already piled up 640+ career saves. He posted 171 saves (58.4%) as a freshman, 220 saves (64%) as a sophomore, and 250 saves as a junior in 2025 — numbers that reflect rare longevity, consistency, and growth inside one of New York's most demanding pipelines in the Hudson Valley region.   Hunter plays with a calm command that settles the entire defense in front of him. Mechanically, Mezzatesta is sharp: quick top hand, strong rebound control, smooth level changes, and the ability to win possessions with athletic second efforts. In transition, he's a natural playmaker who can trigger early offense with confident outlets.   Hunter's national breakout came in an 11-10 victory against Santa Fe Christian (CA), where he snagged a clean save, sprinted the length of the field, and buried the game-winning goal — a clip that drew 200K+ views and highlighted his athleticism and feel for the moment.   A proven product with a real big-game goalie feel, Mezzatesta is signed to play at the University of Virginia, where his experience, toughness, and instincts should translate quickly in the Atlantic Coast Conference.     A lefty hybrid defender with range and closing speed, Jayden James is the kind of player who turns transition moments into instant opportunities. His style mirrors his résumé — aggressive, disciplined, and built for big-game environments like the JMA Wireless Dome offers.   Jayden first stepped onto the field as a freshman starter during the Cadets' 2023 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship run, establishing himself early as a high-trust, impact defender. As a sophomore, he totaled 23 ground balls and 27 caused turnovers, earning second-team All-WCAC plus All-DMV honors in 2024. James was named a first-team All-WCAC selection in 2025 as a junior.   For Jayden, the game carries a deeper meaning. An enrolled member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, he describes lacrosse not just as a sport but as his heritage — a stick in his hands before he could walk, and one he says he'll never put down. That identity shows up in his play: composed, purposeful, and driven by something bigger than himself.   James is signed to play at Syracuse University, where his lefty versatility, transition ability, and competitive maturity should translate seamlessly into the Orange's defensive identity.     A physically imposing defender with a disciplined approach, Ethan Bramoff brings strength, footwork, and technical polish that allow him to neutralize top threats across multiple player profiles. At times considered a legitimate candidate for the top overall player in the 2026 class, Ethan chops his feet efficiently, controls angles with awareness, and uses a refined toolbox of checks to consistently dislodge the ball. Announcers have even called him a “cheat code” — a nod to his knack for creating game-changing plays.   A force down low who remains a threat on both sides of the field, Bramoff is the kind of player who makes having him on your roster feel like playing with house money. As a junior, he collected 40 groundballs, 15 caused turnovers, and 2 goals heading into the Nassau Suffolk Catholic High School Athletic Association Championship.   His 2025 campaign showcased both his consistency and his potential ceiling. Ethan delivered a perfectly placed off-stick-low goal in a 13–8 victory over national powerhouse Malvern Prep (PA) and earned MVP honors vs. Don Bosco (NJ), contributing a strip and an assist in a 7–5 win that saw the Friars dismantle the Ironmen's prolific offense. His steadiness and versatility were central to St. Anthony's NSCHSAA (Class AAA) State Championship run, capped by a win over nationally ranked rival Chaminade (NY) in one of the sport's marquee matchups. With the Friars finishing 13–4 and both programs inside the national top 10, Ethan proved he thrives on the biggest stages.   Signed to play at the University of Maryland, Bramoff projects as a plug-and-play, B1G-ready defender — blending physicality, discipline, and matchup IQ that have long defined elite Terp backline units. His two-way skill set and competitive maturity give him a real chance to contribute immediately at the next level.     A left-handed defensive weapon of mass destruction, AJ Theodorakakos uses size, speed, and instincts to dominate opponents at every turn. He plays with a system-first mentality that fits seamlessly with his culture of discipline and accountability.   From his freshman year on varsity, Theodorakakos asserted his authority, posting 54 takeaways (second most in NY Section V), 39 ground balls, and 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 2023. He rotated between crease defense, long-stick midfield, and occasional faceoff duties, showcasing versatility while setting the tone as a vocal leader.   In 2025, AJ earned Section V Defensive Player of the Year honors while controlling his assignment and winning possession battles. He was also named a US Lacrosse High School All-American (NY – Section 5 Finger Lakes), bringing a high-level pedigree to every matchup. His anticipation, physicality, and field IQ make him a constant threat — capable of locking down top players, maintaining defensive structure, and changing the pace simply by being on the field.   Signed to play at Army West Point, Theodorakakos projects as a foundational piece of the Black Knights' juggernaut defense. His athleticism, cerebral play, and leadership give him the ability to deliver heavy checks and anchor the defense from his very first shift!     Control the X. Control momentum. Ciaran Sweeney is predictive, composed, and relentless — a tempo-setter with competitive intelligence.   Ciaran is the definition of controlled volatility at the faceoff stripe. A technician built like a traditional midfielder, he blends leverage, hand speed, and situational awareness with the ability to push transition and become a scoring threat when he's rolling downhill. Sweeney's command of pressure points, exits, and opponent tendencies gives him the ability to steer a game's rhythm, not just react to it.   As a sophomore, Sweeney won 63% of his draws while helping McDonogh capture the 2024 MIAA championship — completing a historic three-peat in the nation's toughest conference. He was varsity as a freshman in 2023 and has since grown into one of the Eagles' most indispensable pieces. Ciaran's dominant performance vs. Haverford (PA) in an 11–6 win as a junior further showcased his rise in 2025. He's already been named a team captain for 2026, a testament to how he leads and how his teammates respond to him.   Off the field, Sweeney's influence extends into Inner Circle development. His presence at the True 12 Showcase (<a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/08/true-12-showcase-day-1-2028/">Day 1</a> & <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/08/true-12-showcase-day-2-the-2027s/">Day 2</a>) as a mentor for 2027s and 2028s highlights a player who not only competes at a high level but raises the standard around him.   The Fighting Irish gain more than an elite faceoff specialist — they add a culture anchor, a possession driver, and a competitor who wins beyond the whistle. Signed to play at the University of Notre Dame.     There are shooters, there are scorers, and then there is Rick Giordano! Even as an underclassman at Darien (CT), he displayed a natural feel for the game and a pure touch that immediately caught coaches' eyes. By the time Rick arrived at Brunswick, that foundation had evolved into one of the most dangerous offensive profiles in the 2026 class. Giordano changes the geometry of a defense — forcing rotations, opening lanes, and commanding attention the second he touches the ball.   His production only tells part of the story. In 2024, Rick had a sensational sophomore season totaling 37 points (25G, 12A) as the Bruins went 17–1, their lone loss to Lawrenceville (NJ), the eventual national champion who avenged their only earlier defeat. He followed that with 37 goals and 15 assists (52 points) during a breakout junior year in 2025, helping Brunswick compile a 14–3 record against a schedule loaded with nationally ranked opponents.   Giordano warps coverage with elite time-and-room mechanics. He has smooth hands, a ferocious first step, and effortless power transfer that allows him to generate velocity from angles most high school midfielders can't attempt. He's dangerous with either hand, punishing defenders who misstep or take a bad angle. Rick can still find daylight when opponents execute perfectly. His split dodge up top consistently creates separation, and his downhill release is fast, heavy, and precise. The blend of burst, balance, and leverage makes him a nightmare matchup for shortsticks and long poles alike.   However, he's far more than a finisher - Giordano plays with pace, purpose, high-end stick skills, and turns defensive transitions into instant offense. He beats pressure, swims through rides, and attacks north–south with intent. He can sling the skip pass, hit the simple touch, or draw a slide and distribute off contact. A legit sniper with creative instincts, he's a playmaker ready to thrive in the ACC's up-tempo, run-and-gun style.   Now signed to the University of North Carolina, Rick Giordano enters his senior season as one of the most complete midfielders in the country — a player who looks ready to turn up on Tobacco Road.     A national-reach talent bringing expansion energy from the Pacific Northwest to a traditionally East-heavy landscape, Landon Johnson made an immediate splash at Eastlake. As a freshman, he posted 43 goals and 35 assists — setting the school's single-season assist record and recording the most points ever by a freshman with 78 total. Landon exploded for 99 points (63G, 36A) as a sophomore, earning US Lacrosse All-American (Washington) honors in 2024.   Johnson followed that with a standout junior season in 2025, helping lead the Wolves to capture the Washington State High School Boys Lacrosse Association (4A) State Championship while earning US All-American (Washington) recognition for the second time. Performing on the biggest stage while developing as a dynamic playmaker, he has emerged as one of the premier offensive threats not just on the West Coast, but nationally.   Landon is a smooth, versatile athlete who can play attack or midfield, thriving with or without the ball. His 1v1 skill set includes sharp footwork, quick hands, and the ability to change angles on his dodge. Johnson's lacrosse IQ allows him to anticipate the double team, find seams, and make his teammates around him better. He combines ambidextrous skill, smart decision-making, and toughness to help him absorb contact while staying in the play. Landon's creativity, stick skills, and vision make defenders miss — whether finishing, feeding, or creating space off the dodge.   Verbally committed to the admissions process at Cornell, Johnson will enter the college game ready to contribute to a program already setting the national standard. His combination of individual skill, off-ball awareness, and poise under pressure makes him well-suited for the Big Red's free-flowing, championship-caliber offense.     A physically dominant, left-handed playmaker with a flair for creative execution, Chris Doshna has been a force for Marcellus since 2022, contributing at the varsity level even before his freshman year. He combines size, strength, and elite lacrosse IQ to generate offense in every facet — whether initiating from the top, dodging and finishing through traffic, or finding teammates in tight spots. A talented multi-sport athlete, Doshna also competes in football and wrestling, showcasing his strength, agility, and competitiveness across multiple arenas.   Doshna became a household name after his sophomore season, earning 1st Team All-Central New York (small school) honors in 2024 after posting 60 goals, 42 assists, 55 ground balls, and winning 30 of 46 (65%) faceoffs. As a junior in 2025, he helped lead the Mustangs to a 19-2 record, including a two-goal performance in an 11-10 double-overtime sectional championship win over Skaneateles (NY), once again earning 1st Team All-CNY (small school) recognition with similar production. Over his career, he has accumulated 199 goals, 112 assists, 155 ground balls, and over 259 faceoff attempts with a 62% winning rate.   A hallmark of innovation inside consistency, Chris combines a powerful frame with deceptive speed and footwork. His left-handed dodges, quick release, and vision allow him to beat closeouts, deliver accurate passes under pressure, and generate high-percentage shots from difficult angles. Equally comfortable initiating offense, slipping behind slides, or executing under duress, he is a resourceful playmaker who controls the flow of the offense & is capable of producing in various situations.   Signed to play at the University of Maryland, Chris Doshna brings a multi-dimensional skill set to a program already competing at the national level. From scoring and assisting to his experience on the faceoff X, his versatility and athleticism make him a valuable piece in Testudo's Upstate pipeline and a player ready to contribute in multiple roles.     A tactical playmaker with ice-cold execution, Brady Mollot runs the offense with the calm presence of a veteran quarterback. Whether threading money passes through traffic or finishing in tight quarters, Mollot plays with an inherent sense of timing and spatial awareness. He's not just a scorer — he's a catalyst who elevates everyone around him, dictating tempo and carving up defensive gaps before they fully appear.   Brady's production is efficient, reliable, and results-oriented. In 2024, he led Spalding with 64 points (27G, 37A) while earning a varsity starting role as a sophomore. In 2025, his impact hit another level: a back-hand shovel goal to lift the Cavaliers past St. Anthony's (NY) 12–8 at Maryland's SECU Stadium, followed by a two-goal, three-assist effort in the MIAA semifinal against the two-time defending champion McDonogh Eagles (MD) — a performance that propelled Spalding into the MIAA championship showdown. His consistency and command earned him 2025 All-MIAA honors, cementing himself as one of the Free State's best offensive talents.   What separates Mollot is the way he processes the game. His anticipation, creativity, and precision feel engineered — ruthless in efficiency and built for winning time. He manipulates defensive rotations with his eyes, punishes over-pursuit with skip passes, and turns tight windows into high-value scoring chances. When the ball is in his stick, possessions feel organized, dangerous, and under control.   Signed to play at the University of Maryland, Brady Mollot will continue the familial Terp lacrosse lineage as a blue-chip hardshell recruit. With his blend of vision, finesse, and elite shot placement, he projects as an impact player in College Park who is ready to revolutionize the modern Maryland offense.     A classic pipeline product, John Balsamo brings a market-tested, next-level toolkit to any attack unit. A prototypical right-wing field general, he controls tempo with poise, spacing, and an eyes-up approach that keeps defenders honest. Whether initiating, orchestrating, or manipulating slides, John plays with a deliberate mindset that elevates everyone around him.   Balsamo started varsity as a sophomore in 2024 with 26 points (15G, 11A) and exploded as a junior in 2025 with 75 points (38G, 37A) while leading the Flyers to a 14–2 record. His impact is multi-dimensional — capable as a feeder, secondary dodger, or clutch finisher. When slides are aggressive, John punishes them with precise reads; when defenses hesitate, he creates scoring opportunities, sweeping topside or attacking the hash with speed and calculated dodging patterns.   What sets Balsamo apart is his command under pressure. He handles doubles and absorbs contact as if hands-free, consistently finding the optimal release point and delivering the right play without breaking rhythm. This past year, he added another gear of quickness, winning more matchups while maintaining full control of his body. His chemistry with teammates adds predictability for coaches and unpredictability for defenses — a rare combination at the high school level.   Signed to play at the University of Virginia, John Balsamo projects as a cerebral offensive leader. With three-level scoring ability, a proven clutch gene, and a refined sense of timing, he's built to make an early impact in Charlottesville and a player defenses will have to account for on every possession.     A left-handed offensive catalyst with repeatable production and elite decision-making, Hunter Metz blends efficiency with creativity in a way few high school attackers can match. He doesn't just rack up points — he raises the floor and ceiling simultaneously for the players around him.   Metz's game is built on possession intelligence. He reads defensive shapes like a veteran, drifting into windows before they appear and making the high-level decision without forcing it. When McDonogh has momentum, Metz amplifies it; when they need composure, he becomes the stabilizer. That adaptability — not flash — is what makes him one of the most scalable offensive weapons in the 2026 class.   Hunter's production backs it up: 22 varsity goals as a freshman during the Eagles' 2023 championship season. He was also named USA Select U16 MVP, a reflection of how consistently he impacts top-tier environments. Metz registered 37 goals & 23 assists (60 points) during McDonogh's 2024 MIAA title run, extending the program's three-peat! He totalled 41 goals & 30 assists (71 points) as a junior with major contributions in each season.   Recently named a team captain for 2026, Metz enters his senior year as the program's embodiment of high-IQ offense — poised, creative, and reliable in possession. He's the type of lefty who can finish in space, manufacture his own shot, or become a release valve when defenses overextend.   South Bend secures a connector-piece who thrives in structure, elevates teammates, and makes winning decisions in winning moments. Signed to play at the University of Notre Dame.    This 2026 class is already positioned to lead at the next level. As spring approaches, the focus shifts from development to domination — delivering measurable results that align perfectly with the brand's expansion ethos.   This 2026 talent pool arrives at a moment when the college landscape has never been more competitive. The nation's top programs are already stockpiling elite prospects — a reminder of how quickly opportunity turns into demand at the next level. According to Prep Lacrosse's 2026 rankings from last August, five programs have clearly separated themselves:   <ol class="wp-block-list"> <li>Notre Dame — The Gold Standard of 2026 Recruiting</li> </ol>   The Irish headline the class with eleven players inside the PL Top 100, including the *No. 1 overall player*, two more inside the Top 10, and five within the Top 25 — an unprecedented consolidation of elite, system-ready talent. *expect Dylan Faison to graduate early this December '25 & enroll at ND where he could join the men's lacrosse team this spring and play at the NCAA level in '26.*   <ol start="2" class="wp-block-list"> <li>Duke — Blue Devil Depth</li> </ol>   Duke brings in ten PL Top 100 recruits, highlighted by three in the Top 10 and five inside the Top 25, continuing the program's signature blend of high-end star power supported by deep, balanced positional depth.   <ol start="3" class="wp-block-list"> <li>Virginia — Firepower in Volume</li> </ol>   UVA lands eight PL Top 100 prospects, headlined by three in the Top 20, assembling another class built on athleticism, explosiveness, and versatile two-way skill — a blueprint that has defined their modern identity.   <ol start="4" class="wp-block-list"> <li>North Carolina — Southern Surge</li> </ol>   UNC also secures eight PL Top 100 recruits, signaling renewed pipeline strength in Chapel Hill and a class built to re-establish long-term competitiveness in the ACC race.   <ol start="5" class="wp-block-list"> <li>Maryland — Foundation and Fit</li> </ol>   The Terps add seven PL Top 100 recruits, three are in the Top 25, staying true to their brand: disciplined, system-aligned players who thrive in a culture built on execution, toughness, and consistency.

As the fall club season wraps and the holidays approach, every coach in the country starts building a wish list — players they'd want on their roster if they could take on anyone, anywhere, at any time. In that same spirit, this is my UNLTD Select 2026 Dream Team — a roster I'd go into any tournament with. These aren't players I've covered before; they represent fresh faces from powerhouse regions like New York, Maryland, and Connecticut.