2027s: Five Uncommitted Defenders Worth Betting On

Now that we're nearly a month into the first wave of 2027 recruiting, it's time to highlight some of the top uncommitted players in the class. These defenders — all of whom we hadn't profiled in depth yet — are five of my favorites still on the board and guys I'd bet on at the next level.    Much has been made of the strength of this '27 Canadian class, and Burman is without question among the top two or three still available. After impressing me while watching Hill this spring, he was lights out at Naptown, routinely ending possessions with hard slaps and lifts. He plays with a relentless motor and never gives up on plays, often catching opponents slipping with disruptive trail checks. With his approach to groundballs and top-tier stickwork, Burman is a weapon off the wings and in any 50-50 situation. If he commits to a program that lets him play his game while maximizing his talents, he has the ability to make an immediate impact.     Passing the eye test at 6'1 and 200 pounds, Collins is at his best as a complementary defender, serving as the second slide and air traffic controller. He's always in the right position, playing picks particularly well, sliding with force, and taking great approaches to the ball-carrier. He's physical and disruptive when he needs to be, staying on his opponent's hip and gloves. When the ball is on the ground, he's scooping it up on the first try and getting the ball up and out, though Collins is capable in transition, too. Having reclassed and transferred from Landon (Md.), he'll be a nice piece for new head coach Taylor Pirie to work with at Avon.     Hold on to your stick — and definitely don't leave it hanging — around Hantman. With excellent hands and a knack for ending possessions, he consistently jars the ball loose and piles up knockdowns and interceptions. Instinctive and active, Hantman plays defense like a free safety, anchoring his team's off-ball defense while disrupting passing lanes. On-ball, he shows a sturdy base and discipline in his stance, making him tough to shake. Part of Brunswick's talented youth movement, he impressed in his minutes for the Bruins and carried that momentum into the summer with strong showings at the NLF Elite 120 and with Eclipse. Recruiting defenders from 'Wick tends to be a good strategy, and Hantman has the talent to be the one of the next ones off the board.     Undersized and hailing from South Carolina, Roye has proven himself as one of the club circuit's top cover defenders. He's a true eraser who makes life difficult for opposing attackmen, whether they're the goal-scoring attackmen that live around the crease or the quarterback types. He has elite feet and outstanding hands, blanketing his matchup with lockdown position defense and precise and timely pokes and checks. He's just so smooth down low and does his job every time, and although it's seldom flashy, his style of play is always effective. Roye plays excellent team defense and was a crucial component of one of the more formidable units on the '27 circuit.     What stands out most about Sardone is his tireless competitive energy and motor — simply put, his effort is never in question. Aggressive but disciplined, he's constantly hunting down ball-carriers and causing chaos, sparking momentum-shifting plays for his team. Sardone combines quick, disciplined footwork and excellent foot speed with an active stick and smooth handle — fitting, given his All-ISL hockey background. He flashed on film this spring with impact plays after transferring to Middlesex from Winchester HS and reclassing. Among Sardone's many strengths is his ability to spearhead the ride, and there's no doubt he'll be an asset between the lines at the next level.

Now that we're nearly a month into the first wave of 2027 recruiting, it's time to highlight some of the top uncommitted players in the class. These defenders — all of whom we hadn't profiled in depth yet — are five of my favorites still on the board and guys I'd bet on at the next level.