When it comes to two-way ability, Gray may be one of the best in the South because of the talent he brings from endline to endline. In the first two events where I saw him this summer, I only had offensive stats for him. His natural movement shows up on the offensive end, where he slips and tucks his stick through defenses to get his hands free on the run or in tight. Off the ball, he understands how to move away from the slide package and find soft spots for easy finishes.

Between the lines, in the clearing game, and on defense is where you really have to pay attention to appreciate his game. Off the wings on face-offs, his athleticism usually puts him out in front to scoop groundballs. He is hard to beat on defense. One play that sticks out came in the NAL championship, when he was defending at X, got his stick up to knock down a pass, then pushed the tempo the other way. He excels in those transition scenarios. The way he moves as a one-man clear and his ability to be a threat in early offense make him incredibly well-rounded.

A smart, two-way midfielder from Highland Park, Corbin plays with poise and maturity well beyond his years. He’s an unselfish playmaker who understands the rhythm of the game, making the right decision whether it’s taking the shot or moving the ball to an open teammate. Corbin’s strong summer performance reflected his growing confidence and feel for the pace of high-level play. Defensively, he competes hard and takes pride in doing the little things right. Also a member of the Texas Nationals, he’s known as a respectful, coachable player and a great teammate, someone who makes everyone around him better.