Cole Stankavage Cole Stankavage 5'10" | A/M | Left Hand Ardrey Kell | 2027 #13 Nation NC has quickly made his case as one of the best lefty playmakers—and one of the craftiest offensive threats—in the 2027 class. This past spring, he erupted for 45 goals and 27 assists at Ardrey Kell, earning USA Lacrosse All-American honors along with a host of other accolades. Since then, his stock has only continued to rise with Sweetlax, where he’s proven himself against elite competition on the national stage. What sets Stankavage apart is the variety in how he attacks defenders. He’s smooth, shifty, and unpredictable, constantly changing postures and using violent jabs into the turf to generate separation. Around the crease, he’s a creative finisher who finds unique angles, while from the outside, his arsenal of release points keeps goalies frozen. From a sidearm or underhand sling that skips into the far corner, to a last-second snap of the wrists that pulls the ball to the near top corner, Stankavage consistently finds ways to score. Even in his overhand motion, he uses a low windup to bait goalies high before dragging the ball low at the last moment. Stankavage’s blend of deceptive dodging, shot-making creativity, and elite finishing ability makes him not only one of the most entertaining players to watch, but also one of the most dangerous scorers in the 2027 class.

Stankavage has quickly become one of my favorite players in the class. Fresh off an All-American season in which he posted 45 goals and 27 assists, he put forth another stellar campaign at the Sweetlax Summer Challenge. He’s as quick and explosive as can be, so he’s really tough for defenders to get their hands on and lethal at taking advantage of poor approaches. Although Stankavage is best known for his ability as a dodger, he’s also an outstanding shooter from range with a snappy release and excellent accuracy. He has the propensity to make defenses look silly on a regular basis and has been stacking up big plays all summer. Able to play both attack and midfield at a high level, expect Stankavage to be awfully high up on a lot of boards.

Cole Stankavage, a 5’10 lefty attackman from Ardrey Kell High School in North Carolina, is a dynamic offensive threat with elite quickness and sharp finishing ability. An All-American and First Team All-State as a sophomore, Stankavage racked up 72 points (45 Goals, 27 Assists) thanks to his smooth dodging, two-handed scoring, and a lethal lefty shot. He has excellent stick skills and thrives in one-on-one situations, creating separation and capitalizing with precision. His speed and craftiness make him a constant threat from anywhere on the field. Stankavage’s combination of athleticism, IQ, and versatility sets him apart as one of the top young attackmen in the Nation.

Playing an excitable ‘balls to the wall’ brand of lacrosse, Stankavage is a lot of fun to watch on Sunday. The lefty plays much bigger than he is and is constantly willing to throw his body around and take a beating on his way to the rack. Utilizing an excellent first step and COD, he fearlessly attacked his matchups, made precise passes, and got after it in the riding game. I loved what he could do without the ball in his stick, as he was constantly moving without the ball and finding holes in the opposition then finishing appropriately. It’s clear why he plays with so much confidence, too. As a freshman, Stankavage racked up 126 points and was named Player of the Year in his team’s conference, so he’s already proven himself at the varsity level.