2028 Midwest Hidden Gems: Five Defenders to Know

The Midwest may not always get the attention it deserves on the recruiting trail, but this group of 2028 defenders is too good to stay under the radar much longer. Coming on the heels of <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/07/best-in-the-midwest-defensive-difference-makers-in-the-28-class/">Ty Xanders' piece on five more Midwest defenders in late July</a>, here are five hidden gems from five different states who are well worth a closer look.    It was announced Monday that Burkhart had made the U17 U.S. National Team, making him one of four Midwest players selected. It is easy to see why he has generated so much attention lately. Burkhart has the potential to become a No. 1 cover defender at the next level because he is so difficult to beat. He has the size and strength to stonewall every type of dodger. He is primarily a poised, stay-at-home defender, but if he smells blood in the water, Burkhart is not afraid to get out and apply pressure—whether it is in a one-on-one matchup or as an aggressive double-team option. His size is also a major advantage off the ball, where he takes up a tremendous amount of space and slides with purpose. Dodgers will not want to see him coming off a slide; he can put an opponent on the turf with a clean hit that won't feel good.     Sporting a fresh WRA helmet this summer, Conklin was a hard-to-miss LSM because of his playmaking ability. After transferring from Portsmouth (N.H.), where he earned Division II Player of the Year honors with 42 caused turnovers, 15 goals, and 13 assists, it is clear how much impact he will bring to the Midwest.   On the defensive end, his feet are the main catalyst. He stays glued to quicker dodgers while still possessing the strength to hold his own on the island. Conklin preys on vulnerable offensive possessions and cannot wait to get out in transition. He is constantly looking to strike on lazy stick protection and errant skips, while also hunting backside doubles and loose balls that give him a chance to push the tempo the other way. His stick skills are excellent. He is comfortable dodging past attackmen, changing hands to feed, throwing fakes, and stepping into scoring opportunities. Between Conklin and Steve VanBuskirk, WRA has a chance to resemble Brown in 2016 in how they can push in transition.     Gundlach was a straight-up takeaway defender at Lake Forest in the spring. This summer, he dialed it back and showed a better understanding of when and where to take his chances. Fundamental in his approach, he starts with his stick out and his bottom hand at his hip, consistently putting himself in position for success.   His feet allow him to mirror dodgers, while his left-handedness helps him stay on hands and apply pesky pressure. When ball carriers get vanilla or lazy, he pounces. Gundlach has the checks in his bag to create turnovers on the ball. Off the ball, he gets his stick into passing lanes, rotates well, and finishes plays with physicality. His strength on ground balls and solid stick skills also give him the versatility to play LSM.     Representing the Midwest at the New Balance All-America event, Finn Winke looks like a defender worth investing in. He has the height, athleticism, and IQ that coaches want for the next level. His athletic profile suggests he can play either down low or at LSM. Winke has the range to defend matchups outside the box or near the endline, along with the footwork to run with them. He times his slides well, takes sharp angles, and has the size to make dodgers pay when they hold the ball too long.   He had a highlight-worthy goose-to-ground-ball pickup at the New Balance event that hinted at his transition ability, but his summer tape shows a player who can really get up and out. While his stick skills could still use refinement, his natural movement, ability to navigate his pole, and speed to run past traffic to transition are the real highlights of his game.     Baker is one of those smaller defenders you want on your roster for several reasons. First, he matches up well with smaller, quicker dodgers. He likes to meet them outside the box or in the corners, where he has the straight-line speed to run with them and stay glued through changes of direction. That speed also shows up in the clear and when he pushes in transition. When Baker gets his stick in a passing lane or comes up with a loose ball, he is looking to go. The final piece of his game, and what gets him noticed most, is his motor. You will see him flying off the wings on face-offs, working between the lines, and beating attackmen to the endline on shots. He is the type of player who gets a sideline juiced and can help swing momentum.

The Midwest may not always get the attention it deserves on the recruiting trail, but this group of 2028 defenders is too good to stay under the radar much longer. Coming on the heels of Ty Xanders' piece on five more Midwest defenders in late July, here are five hidden gems from five different states who are well worth a closer look.