New Jersey's Elite Returning Offensive Playmakers to Watch

Of all the returning players in the Garden State, take a glance at a few key playmakers who are looking to pick up where they left off last spring. Each of these players will likely play a pivotal role if their team succeeds this spring, and for some, will be looking to hoist a state title for the first time when it is all said and done.   ICYMI, <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/01/class-of-2027-breakout-players-in-the-garden-state-to-watch-for/">take a peek at multiple 2027s looking for a breakout year in NJ!</a>    Dunleavy was an integral part of the Pirates success in 2025, finishing with 38 goals and 14 assists on the year, while also tallying a goal in their Non-Public state finals matchup against Don Bosco Prep. He is a gritty lefty attackman that shows great effort and determination with and without the ball. When dodging, he is a smooth operator with good footwork and stick skills to evade pressure on a double team or in tight. The UMBC commit uses his speed to gain a step on his matchup and has good vision to find an open teammate or stick one in the back of the net. When shooting, he has a quick release on the run or in traffic and with time and room he displays power and accuracy. With a few players having graduated, Dunleavy could step into a larger role this spring for Seton Hall Prep.     Versatile in the ways he can beat you, Lagunowich is emerging as a star for the Cougars after finishing his sophomore season with 69 goals and 28 assists. He has good size and speed, and uses that to his advantage to either overpower his matchup or to blow right past him. He is a smooth dodger with good footwork and instincts and can work from anywhere on the field to be effective. The Notre Dame commit has a rocket for a shot and has shown the ability to stretch the defense with his power. He is a marksman when shooting and does not need much space to be productive. The 6-foot attackman can unload a hard shot from his hip and change planes to keep goaltenders guessing. He will be a big reason why Chatham has success if he can pick up where he left off last spring.     As a junior, Whitehouse remained efficient at the midfield position and played a key role in the Bulldogs' success. He finished with 37 goals and 19 assists, scoring the game-winning goal vs. Manasquan in the Shore Conference finals and a goal in the South Jersey, Group 1 semifinals vs. Glen Ridge. He is a crafty playmaker and has proven to be a threat with the stick in either hand, making him hard to defend with his agility. He does a good job of initiating offense off his dodges and shows his toughness when fighting for top-side or finishing past the goalie in traffic. The Washington & Lee commit displays good fundamental footwork and stick skills and will look to continue to be a leader for Rumson-Fair Haven this spring.     Varallo will look to build upon his performance from last spring, where he finished second on his team in goals (26) and assists( 20). He proved to be a key player for the Hermits down the stretch, recording a pair of goals in the Non-Public state semifinals vs Seton Hall Prep. Varallo is a tough player with good instincts and can make an impact inside or from range. The St. John's commit has a quick first step out of his dodges, with the ability to create space, and keeps his head up looking for cutters or skip passes. He can do damage with time and room, mixing up his shot locations and utilizing stick fakes to increase his shooting angle. He works hard on rides, never giving up anything easy, and shows effort to create for others, which is a great quality at the attack position.     Homer had a great sophomore season for the Raiders, contributing a healthy mix of goals (48) and assists(45) while playing a big role down the stretch of the season, finishing with a goal and three assists vs Northern Highlands in the North Jersey Group 3 quarterfinals. He is a dynamic lefty attackman with the ability to use either hand interchangeably and great vision to create for others. He works well from in tight or from range and uses his length to be effective from the outside. The Hobart commit dodges hard to get to the middle, and when he draws a double, he is quick to evade pressure and swing it to get the defense out of position. When riding, he works hard and fights for possession, and he will need to continue that production if the Raiders hope to make a deep playoff run this spring.     Dougherty played a crucial part in the Dragons deep playoff run last spring, finishing with 63 goals and 12 assists, with a pair of goals coming in the South Jersey Group 4 final round vs. Southern. He is a crafty dodger from his lefty attack spot, showing the ability to fight to the middle or get underneath his defender for a high percentage look. The LIU commit displays great change of direction and a burst of speed on his dodges, favoring sweeps across the top of the defense to get his hands free. He doesn't need much space to operate and has good power and a quick shot release to sting corners. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with his speed and toughness, never afraid to take the ball into the teeth of the defense for a quality look.     Rotkowitz is one of a few leaders for the Renegades offensively and will be returning this spring, looking to help his squad get back to the state title game, where he recorded four goals, but fell short to Summit. With his size and strength, he is a handful to deal with and displays a high lacrosse IQ and unselfish style of play that is fun to watch. He tallied 61 goals and 38 assists in 2025 and has a methodical approach when dodging his matchup, staying patient and striking when the chance presents itself. The Rutgers commit is an excellent shooter in traffic or with space, displaying good accuracy and velocity on his shots, and uses his size well. He has a great feel for the game and is a dynamic player, able to create from anywhere on the field, making him a tough player to defend.     O'Neill had a great season for the Rams as a sophomore, totaling 43 goals and 45 assists. He was crucial to their playoff run last spring that ended in the North Jersey Group 1 finals vs. Mountain Lakes, where he recorded a goal and a pair of assists. At 6'4", he displays great size and strength and utilizes those traits well when dodging. He stays patient with the ball and can beat his opponent with either hand, making him a tough matchup for any defender. With his feet set, he can let it fly with precision and power, but he also does a great job of drawing slides and finding open targets to initiate offense for his team. While he isn't the quickest middie, he has shown a sudden change of direction and uses the roll dodge to create separation and find shooting or passing lanes to be effective.

Of all the returning players in the Garden State, take a glance at a few key playmakers who are looking to pick up where they left off last spring. Each of these players will likely play a pivotal role if their team succeeds this spring, and for some, will be looking to hoist a state title for the first time when it is all said and done.