IMLCA Players Summit: Top 2028 Middies, Part II

As the IMLCA Players Summit wrapped up in Davenport, several 2028 midfielders (and a promising 2029 lefty) used the stage to separate themselves. This piece is an early evaluation of prospects—two from Illinois, two from Charlotte, and a freshman from Long Island who played up—that consistently passed the eye test and made their presence felt during Sunday's playoff bracket.   ICYMI, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2025/12/imlca-players-summit-top-2028-middies-part-i/">Part I featured write-ups on Parker Baras, Michael Giordano, Ben Hristoforatos, CJ Saunders, and Parker Savarese</a>.    Willing to run through or around his defender, Beck dodges with bad intentions—and I mean that in the best way possible. If I'm not mistaken, he scored on his first touch Saturday, dodging hard downhill, creating separation by putting his shoulder into a d-middie, then hammering the ball into the back of the net. He got to a similar spot on his next dodge with the same result, then capped a first-half hat trick by working back to the middle for a bouncer. Beck is still a bit rough around the edges, but his upside was immediately apparent. A look at his one-minute summer highlights continues to show Beck being a force from the outside who dodges with consistent physicality and ferocity. He has plenty of tools college coaches would love to develop going forward, and I'd imagine that they liked what they saw from him at IMLC.     I'm bending things a bit here, as Byrnes is a natural middie in the Class of 2029 who slid down to attack later on Sunday, which proved to be a brilliant move for the champs. The incredibly talented freshman caught fire, scoring three straight goals (four on the day) to help lift 91 Venom over 2Way in the title game. In the second half, the 6'2 lefty scored off the face-off after securing a gritty groundball and absorbing contact from a defender. From there, he beat his man from the corner and finished in front with his dominant hand, then struck again off crisp ball movement in transition. Byrnes is tough as nails, can really shoot it from the outside, and presents a big target inside with soft hands around the cage. He posted 10 points as an eighth-grader at Massapequa, and I have a feeling he's poised to pop off in 2026 and be a problem for Long Island defenses for the next few years.     Another Illinois-bred middie who impressed in Orlando, Federighi is a hulking two-way midfielder—roughly 6'3–6'4 and nearly 200 pounds. When he squares up his man and puts his foot in the ground, he's difficult to stop, showcasing an excellent shot on the run. His size and physicality make him a matchup nightmare, particularly for SSDMs, who generally have had little success containing him when he gets a step. Federighi was most effective in early offense or initiating from the wing, where he could build downhill momentum yet still stop on a dime to free his hands. I also liked his work on the defensive end, giving him real two-way upside. Overall, he looks to be one of the more promising 2028s in the Midwest.     Team 91 South collected some huge wins and made its way all the way to the semifinals at IMLCA, and two-way guys like Fisher were instrumental during that run. Between his physical tools and blend of athleticism and skill, he's trending toward becoming a coveted 2028 prospect. He plays aggressively with the ball, isn't shy about pulling from range, and features a nasty, high-heat release on the run. Fisher consistently finds a second gear to blow by his matchup, and when initiating, he moves the ball quickly and decisively. His athleticism shows between the lines and in transition, giving him legitimate upside on either side of the ball.     Kopittke first popped at the Maverik Showtime All-Star Game last summer and has already improved his off-hand. Big, strong, and highly athletic, he's explosive and fun to watch with the ball. His electric first step and shake create separation at will, and his hands and instincts stand out—using fakes to freeze defenses before beating the slide. He plays with poise and confidence, quickly proving to be a nightmare matchup. The Charlotte native also shows a feel for opening things up for teammates, an area that could elevate his game further. His athleticism ranks among the best I've seen in the first couple of months of watching this class.

As the IMLCA Players Summit wrapped up in Davenport, several 2028 midfielders (and a promising 2029 lefty) used the stage to separate themselves. This piece is an early evaluation of prospects—two from Illinois, two from Charlotte, and a freshman from Long Island who played up—that consistently passed the eye test and made their presence felt during Sunday's playoff bracket.