2028 Midwest Rankings: Top 75 Juniors + Watchlist
In this article:
On Wednesday, we opened our rankings with the National Top 100. Now we turn the page to the Midwest, unveiling our Top 75 and 30-man Watchlist for the Class of 2028.
To see how the top players in the Midwest stack up, hit the link for the full Top 75 and 30-man Watchlist. If you're not subscribed yet, use code LABORDAY50 at checkout for 50% off your first payment.
From a regional ranking standpoint, it's only fitting to open with the Midwest: the region has built real momentum this spring and summer, and the 2028 class is a big reason why. Western Reserve Academy finished No. 1 in national rankings, with its sole loss coming in April against the nation's No. 3 team and Midwest rival Culver—but the Pios answered with a revenge win over Culver in the MSLA championship.
This summer, Midwest clubs made it clear the 2028 class is deeper than just WRA and Culver. True Illinois, Project Midwest, and Resolute all posted impressive results at major tournaments. True Illinois won the Great 8, beating several powerhouse East Coast clubs. Resolute and Project Midwest were forces at NAL and Naptown. The region closed the summer by capturing the Nike All-Star Games title over Maryland, underscoring that top talent is rising from across the Midwest.
PJ Kennedy
PJ
Kennedy
6'3" | 190 lbs | A | Right Hand
Culver Academy | 2028
#6
Nation
IN
tops the rankings after posting 38 goals and 39 assists in the spring, followed by an impressive summer. He brings a rare blend of skill, size, two-handedness, and versatility at attack—making him a player poised to land at a high-level program right out of the gate. Right behind him is Western Reserve midfielder
Gunner Flanagan
Gunner
Flanagan
6'0" | 160 lbs | M/SSDM | Right Hand
Western Reserve Academy | 2028
#24
Nation
OH
, who impacts the game in countless ways: dodging, scoring, feeding, locking down on defense, and dominating on the wings off face-offs. He does it all.
Five more Midwest players made our Top 100 national rankings, but plenty more from the 2028 class will go on to play and make an impact at the next level.
"It's not just the East Coast anymore—the proof is in the pudding. Midwest lacrosse is slowly becoming a hotbed for top-shelf talent," one prominent Midwest coach said.
"It's no longer just Ohio State and a couple of other colleges asking about our players. I have to make a schedule now," another added.
Please note: these state rankings are reserved exclusively for prospects who play high school lacrosse in the Midwest region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). As a result, players like Ohio transplant Parker Old (West), Illinois transplant Myles Muzones (Mid-Atlantic), and Project Midwest standout Beckett Mayfield (Mid-Atlantic) do not qualify.
As stated on our "How We Rank" page, the rankings project a player's future collegiate potential, not their current ability. If you or someone you know deserves consideration for the next edition of the Class of 2028 Midwest player rankings, feel free to send a testimonial and film to michael@preplacrosse.com.