Go West: How Air Force, Denver and Utah Have Fared With 2028s

<p>Friday marks 30 days into the recruiting cycle for the Class of 2028, and we've spent the last few days talking about several different storylines, whether it's <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/10/2028-recruiting-the-new-england-colleges-that-won-september/">Kyle Devitte's breakdown of which New England colleges won September</a> or <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/10/regionally-ranked-still-uncommitted-six-28-specialists-to-know/">Michael Campanile's analysis of the best available specialists</a>. In addition, I've posted a handful of breakdowns — <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/09/beyond-the-top-100-my-favorite-september-commits-on-d-part-i/">Part One</a> and <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/10/beyond-the-top-100-my-favorite-september-commits-on-d-part-ii/">Part Two</a> on defense, then <a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/10/beyond-the-top-100-my-favorite-september-commits-on-offense/">yesterday's post on offensive guys</a> —of my favorite commits of September outside of the National Top 100. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Air Force</h2>   <p>As always, there's a ton of volume and geographical diversity with the Falcons' class, and this '28 group looks particularly strong and intriguing for a variety of reasons. Air Force picked up a whopping 11 commits between the July 1 service academy recruiting start date and the start date for the rest of Division I, finding success in both windows. I think it's important to shine a light on both the summer pickups and fall additions, several of whom cracked our regional rankings. </p>   <p>I've long been interested to see how SAs fare once recruits can communicate with and visit more than just three schools in the summer. Colorado Springs is a bit more difficult to get to during the madness of the recruiting circuit, while Navy and Army have the luxury of being a quick detour on the way to or from showcases and tournaments. </p>   <p>There's a lot of balance to this class, but I've been particularly struck by the talent level of the defenders and specialists, with face-off man Wyatt Franssen often dominating this summer. Defensively, Georgia-bred cover defenseman Knox Ramstein drew attention from a few big-time defensive coordinators I spoke to in August. He was ranked No. 13 among prospects in the South and should continue to climb as he polishes his skills. Last week, I wrote about Lawrenceville's Behrgan Nyman, another stud on defense and a likely starter for the Big Red this spring. Tommy Callaghan is also worth mentioning after a terrific year in the ISL, which he carried over into the summer with 3d New England. In goal, the Falcons have two on board, and each hails from Long Island: Shoreham-Wading River's Collin Abrams and, more recently, Nicholas Scicchitano from the netminder pipeline that is Chaminade.</p>   <p>Moving over to the offensive side of the ball, I'd be remiss not to mention the newly established pipeline from Madlax, as the Falcons dipped into the DMV for a handful of talented players from a club with a proven track record of producing offensive weapons. Georgetown Prep's Patton Gormley is a physical specimen, while Cosby's Sam Nylund, who hails from Richmond rather than the DMV, is an impressive lefty shooter, and Gonzaga's Quinn O'Neill is another talented lefty who can really sling it. Air Force also stayed in-state for an up-and-coming offensive prospect in Patrick Easterly, who now preps at Trinity-Pawling in New York, and went all the way to Seattle for a 6-foot-5 behemoth in Brady Meehan. </p>   <p>Overall, I really like this group, and while AF will need to make sure the class stays intact, the staff has every reason to be bullish on the talent it has accumulated thus far.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Denver</h2>   <p>Whether it was during the Bill Tierney era or the first few cycles with Matt Brown at the helm, I've always closely followed the Pios' recruiting efforts. They've consistently had a propensity to mix in an under-the-radar guy who ends up becoming an All-Conference or All-American performer, with Philadelphia Waterdogs star Jack Hannah being a prime example. </p>   <p>Candidly, Denver had a bit more success getting some bigger names in the '27 class — its top four or five guys are all excellent — but there's a lot to like about the '28 class and how it could continue to evolve. It should go without saying that DU tends to be a pipeline for Canadians, and while this group of kids north of the border isn't quite as strong as the '27s (one of Canada's better classes in recent memory), a lot can change between now and enrollment. Quite frankly, I would be utterly shocked if the Pios don't land a Canuck. </p>   <p>As usual, the Pios made a splash out in California, landing a pair of Top 15 prospects in the West: Santa Margarita Catholic defender Braxton Boyle and Sacred Heart Prep SSDM Drew Lorang. Boyle, also a talented tight end under head coach Carson Palmer, showed plenty of flashes on-ball this summer, as did Lorang, an excellent athlete who recently transferred to SHP, where he'll be coached by ADVNC director Chris Rotell. The Pioneers also went South for defender Leyton Collins, who is more of a project at this stage but has tremendous upside thanks to his 6-foot-8 frame.</p>   <p>In most cycles, Denver has picked up at least two Massachusetts natives, and they've already checked that box with St. John's Prep/3d New England midfielder Paul Kosinski and Thayer Academy/Laxachusetts attackman Tommy Lally, both of whom announced on September 23. The Pioneers continue to thrive in the Midwest, too, and I'm particularly intrigued by face-off specialist Michael Selan, the No. 14 junior in the region and a draw man who passes the eye test and then some. Denver also snagged True Illinois standout Dixon Hornsby, a midfielder out of Indiana, further down the list, and I'll be interested to see how he develops after spending a PG year following graduation. Back on the East Coast, Langley (Va.) goalie Luke Milone has more than enough hand speed and athleticism to turn heads when he arrives in Denver. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Utah</h2>   <p>Well done is better than well said, and last week, I vowed to take a closer look at Utah's recruiting success after naming Lawrenceville's Diesel Riiber one of my favorite non-Top 100 pickups in September. The Utes have done a stellar job, landing several players I would have pegged as Big Ten-caliber recruits while competing with programs in that conference for their services in a few different cases. A top shortstick recruit, Riiber was certainly a big win, and landing a player of his caliber out of Lawrenceville, of all places, is a statement for Utah's program. The Utes continued to load up defensively, landing Illinois native Charlie Sommers and Ohio's Erno Merritt, both Top 20 prospects in the Midwest who had excellent summers and project favorably at the next level. </p>   <p>Thus far, the Utes have also done well down South, picking up a pair of attackmen who were ranked in the Top 40 within the region: Legion Collegiate (S.C.) righty Hayden Christenberry and IMG Academy (Fla.) lefty Hero Glowaki, standouts for Team 91 South and Mad Dog, respectively. Goalie Ford Crosland of Highland Park checked in at No. 49 and is a rock-solid goalie prospect who helped make up a highly impressive lineup of West Coast Starz goalies when he wasn't suiting up for the Texas Nationals. </p>   <p>In addition, Utah also won out for Westminster (Conn.) and Next Level face-off specialist Soren Techet, as well as a midfield sleeper out of Saugus (Calif.), Gavin Pantelidis from Mad Dog, who checked in at No. 57 in the West. Overall, I feel as if the Utes must feel good about who they've landed in the first 30 days of the cycle, and it's a group that complements their '27 class rather well, too. </p>   <p></p>

Friday marks 30 days into the recruiting cycle for the Class of 2028, and we've spent the last few days talking about several different storylines, whether it's Kyle Devitte's breakdown of which New England colleges won September or Michael Campanile's analysis of the best available specialists. In addition, I've posted a handful of breakdowns — Part One and Part Two on defense, then yesterday's post on offensive guys —of my favorite commits of September outside of the National Top 100.