Sleeper 2028 Prospects From South Jersey

During the first two weeks of the contact period for the class for 2028, a number of highly ranked Class of 2028 prospects from New Jersey have come off the board. Manes such as Harrison Tyler (Notre Dame), Danny Varone (Duke) and Max Melchionni (Virginia) come to mind immediately.   But today I want to profile five 2028s from southern New Jersey who college coaches are sleeping on. I would humbly suggest that college coaches wake up and contact these extremely talented prospects today.    Jones is an athletic and versatile prospect who can impact a game from anywhere in the offensive end. During the 2026 high school season, Jones posted 39 goals, to go along with 17 assists and 58 ground balls. Those impressive numbers garnered Jones 1st Team All-Olympic Conference honors. The combination of Jones' explosive first step and shifty moves allow him to cook his initial defender and then generate scoring chances for himself or teammates. Jones is especially adept at ripping sidearms into the net while on the move. Jones really shines when he operates behind the net. From X, Jones can string together a series of cutbacks and spins until he loses his man, and then dash around the corner for a scoring chance in close. Jones can also initiate from X, draw the slide, and then feed the open teammate. His ability to dodge going left or right and then shoot / finish with either hand makes Jones impossible to guard 1v1.     How this athletic midfield prospect with imposing size and polished stick skills is still available is a mystery. During his remarkable sophomore campaign, Passehl posted 40 goals and 23 assists as he helped push Paul VI to the second round of the NJSIAA state tournament. Passehl's long strides, shifty moves an ability to shoot / distribute while running full speed allow him to thrive in transition. His solid frame and non-stop motor enable Passehl to run through significant contact on those fast break opportunities. In 6v6 action, Passehl's separation speed, agility, and refined stick skills make him a threat to initiate from anywhere in the offensive end. Passehl can dodge down the alley for rips on the run. Or he can get downhill, then slam on the breaks and roll back for a crank. College coaches should love that Passehl is a serious scoring threat from all three attack spots too. Passehl's field vision and feathery touch make him a creative passer.     Reynolds is a lefty brick wall who put his name on the recruiting map this past summer with standout performances at marquee events such as NHSLS and the Alliance League Championships. The combination of Reynolds' tracking skills and fast hands makes it extremely difficult to score on him from long range. Additionally, Reynolds does a fantastic job of popping off his line on perimeter shots. Reynolds' patience, agility, and willingness to use any part of his body help him deny close range shots. College coaches should be impressed with Reynolds ability to execute swift drops for saves and then quickly pop back up so he can get into position for any rebound attempts. Reynolds' athleticism and noteworthy speed enable him to pounce on loose balls and win chases. Once the ball is in his stick, Reynolds will deliver accurate outlet passes.     The 2026 high school season will go down as the breakout stretch of play for Sears as he caused 25 turnovers and vacuumed up 79 groundballs. Sears is an athletic and fleet footed prospect with an aggressive stick who can run at LSM and close defense. Sears excels at pressing out on ball carriers and harassing them into turnovers via slaps, lifts, pokes and can openers. He can also put the ground by playing a physical brand of defense. When the ball hits the turf, Sears' quick reactions, positioning skills and sure handed stick work allow him to secure the GB. Once he has possession, Sears can trigger fast break chances by swiftly legging the rock out himself or via precise outlet passes. With his speed and shifty moves, Sears is a legitimate threat to carry the ball deep into the offensive end and then fire a shot into the net. Sears has demonstrated a high lacrosse IQ in the clearing game as well as in the way he navigates screen action and communicates with teammates.     Over the spring and summer, this junior turned heads with his high energy, extraordinarily disruptive style of defense. The fleet-footed Shim relentlessly pursues ball carriers and then uses an incredible blend of stick work and physicality to harass them into turnovers. Shim is especially skilled at delivering timely and powerful overheads that cause turnovers. Shim also does a fantastic job of arriving early to ball carriers and dictating play with his active stick. Or he can get into the ball carrier at the start of his dodge and stop them cold. Shim's tremendous hand-eye coordination and aggressive stick allows him to snare ground balls in traffic or the open field. He can then use his explosive speed to sprint up field and create a transition opportunity. Or he can roll to open space and deliver a pass to the open teammate. Around the cage, Shim is an excellent team defender whose sides and doubles are always on time.

During the first two weeks of the contact period for the class for 2028, a number of highly ranked Class of 2028 prospects from New Jersey have come off the board. Manes such as Harrison Tyler (Notre Dame), Danny Varone (Duke) and Max Melchionni (Virginia) come to mind immediately.