The NLL Draft is just a few days away, and with all of our positon groups covered, we wanted to give some love to our friends South of the border and look at the graduating NCAA players in the 2024 class.

It’s hard to really gauge where the US field predominant players would land in this class. But historically, teams generally like to try and take chances on them towards the fourth round and on. So we could see some interesting selections towards the mid-to-late rounds this year. But with this being a year where there isn’t quite the set order of talent at the top of the board, this could also be a year where we see teams take chances. There’s a chance Brennan O’Neill goes with the first overall selection.

Let’s take a look at the top Americans available this year and what they could bring to the table indoors.

NCAA

Ajax Zappitello, D, Maryland

The top defender off the board in the PLL this year, Zappitello was an absolute force during his time at Maryland. Zappitello really doesn’t show weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball. His footwork, IQ, and strength are the highlights of what makes him special.

Watching his film, he was facing top matchups every game for the Terps, including Shellenberger, opposing offences try to free up their attackman with picks from X. But Zappitello does a great job at maneuvering the two-man and not giving up a short-stick invert matchup in a high-danger area on the field.

If he commits to box, he should pick up the indoor game quickly. He’s a very smart player who could help a team in the future.

Matt Brandau, F, Yale

Brandau became the most prolific offensive player in Yale program history this past season, becoming the Bulldogs’ all-time leader in goals (198), assists (162), and points (360). It’s hard to project what he’d be in the box game. Most of his goals from this past season came off of one-on-one rolls to the cage from X or off of the wings for alley shots.

He’s a very good iso player and has the ability to fill the net or feed open teammates for high-danger chances. But his ability in the two-man game would determine his success in box.

Eric Dobson, F, Notre Dame

Kavanagh’s Notre Dame teammate is also a candidate to be taken in the NLL Draft after a summer in the PLL with Carolina.

Dobson is a massive body, standing at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. Like a former Notre Dame man in Sergio Perkovic, Dobson is a handful once he gets downhill, and he can absolutely fire the ball from distance.

In box, he’ll draw comparisons to Charlie Bertrand due to his frame and style when he gets a head of steam. But he’s more of a prolific goal scorer and will likely be more of an all-around scorer with his outside shooting ability.

Cole Kastner, D, Virginia

A bit of a fun one to end the list of NCAA players, Kastner was a fantastic dual-sport athlete coming out of high school in Palo Alto, California, excelling in both lacrosse and basketball. The defender stands at a hulking 6-foot-7, 215 pounds. But what makes Kastner special is his freakish athleticism for that size. He’s able to move one-on-one with offensive players efficiently, and, like Zappitello, does a good job of navigating picks in the field game.

Kastner will be a draft and stash pick, however, which could be the knock on him this year. He’s decided to finish his collegiate career playing basketball at Stanford, as he’s transferred to do a grad year out closer to home.

It’s a gamble, but getting someone with that size and athletic ability is the caveat for teams to take a chance later in the draft. He’s just something different that we don’t see too often in lacrosse.

USBOXLA

Grant Breyo, RT, UMass & Buffaloes (UCBLL)/Brooklin (OSL)

Breyo impressed last summer with the Buffaloes before jumping over to the Hawkeyes for the NCBS Championships. He had eight points in five games against the top USBOXLA competition at nationals last summer. Breyo also won the UCBLL’s Most Valuable Player Award for his efforts on both sides of the ball.

The UMass product turned that showing into an opportunity up North this summer, playing for the Brooklin Merchants, where he had a goal and five points in five games. At 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, he’s a big body that has the athleticism to get out and burn teams in transition.

Josh Carlson, RF, Denver & Red Hawks (CCBLL)

Carlson was outstanding for the Red Hawks at Nationals, posting eight goals and 12 points in four games.

Over the last two summers with the Stoneflies in the CCBLL, Carlson has 52 goals. He looked extremely comfortable in the box and was one of the leaders on the Red Hawks once he joined them for the Championships.

Carlson looks to be returning to Denver for a redshirt senior season. However, with the NLL still having a draft stash year in place, a team could select him and develop him for the future.

Connor Boss, RF, Robert Morris & Buffaloes (UCBLL)

Another standout for the Buffaloes, Boss was hard to miss at the NCBS Championships, as he was all over the floor. He’d play out the back door while also taking offensive shifts. He finished this summer with a goal per game in the regular season to go along with four points in as many outings during Nationals.

An East Aurora, New York native, Boss spent his collegiate career with Robert Morris, who does have a solid track record of producing NLL players. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder is most likely a transition player in the NLL. But with additional reps in box, he could be a solid player for a team.

Vinny Fiorella, LF, John Carroll & Rapids/Buffaloes (UCBLL)

Fiorella has been a solid producer in the UCBLL for the last four summers, playing the majority of his time with the Rapids. After a 12-goal, 18-point regular season, he joined the Buffaloes and had five goals in four games during the NCBS Championships.

The John Carroll graduate is one of the best players coming out of the UCBLL this year, and should hear his name called at some point in this draft.

Daniel Kelly, LT, Maryland & Bird Dogs (MACBLL)

Kelly didn’t play NCBS Championships this past year, but his tournament with the Bird Dogs in 2023 was so impressive that he has to be included in with the top prospects from USBOXLA.

He finished last year’s tournament with 10 goals and 11 points while being asked to play in a lot of different situations for the Bird Dogs. He’s also coming off a senior year with Maryland where he had 18 goals while playing out of the box at midfield as well as attack.

Kelly is a versatile player who will be very intriguing to watch heading into the 2024 NLL Draft.

Patrick McIntosh, LF, Virginia & Dragons (CACBLL)

McIntosh is another player who didn’t appear this year at the NCBS Championships, but his 2023 tournament with the Dragons was very impressive.

The Palo Alto, California product had an outstanding 2023 Nationals, putting up 15 goals and 18 points.

His efforts caught the eye of USA Lacrosse, who had him on their USA White team that participated in last year’s LAXNAI tournament. Those two squads that played in the tournament served as a bit of a precursor to the US camp ahead of the World Championships to scout younger players. So McIntosh being included on a group with a number of NLL players was notable. He could be a player that is on several team’s radars in this class.

NLL Draft - American Prospects