After their run to the Final Four back in May, the Orange lost several key starters to the professional ranks: Sam English, Owen Hiltz, Michael Grace, and Carter Rice all joined the PLL after graduating from Syracuse. And with names such as Joey Spallina, Jimmy McCool, and Billy Dwan among others with their senior year upcoming, Syracuse needs to keep replenishing their pipeline of talent to keep pace with the other powers in the ACC and across the nation. As Syracuse fans saw from now-sophomore John Mullen last year at the face-off stripe, high school and club training has put young players in a position to contribute from day 1.
Inside Lacrosse, a top high school and college lacrosse news platform, recently released their list of the top 100 incoming freshmen. Their six players on the list keeps them competitive with other top powers; Virginia, North Carolina, Duke, and Notre Dame all popped up frequently, adding additional fire to the gauntlet of ACC lacrosse.
Bogue Hahn, #17
Hahn, a five-star midfielder known for his elite offensive prowess, was the highest ranked Orangemen at #17 overall. He dominated a tough MIAA (Maryland prep schools conference) schedule throughout high school, and will be ready for the bright lights and high-profile opponents. His evaluations detail a lot of comparisons to Sam English; Hahn could step into a role as the quick-footed offensive midfielder who pushes the ball up the field and helps to control the games’ tempo.
Jayden Kittelberger, #43
Kittelberger, another midfielder, is a strong two-way player that uses his speed and motor to become a game wrecker. He could become one of Head Coach Gary Gait’s top options on the man down unit due to his ability to fight over screens and be an overall pest against attackmen. Having this athletic ability, Syracuse should be excited for Kittelberger’s potential: speed kills. Syracuse might be getting their next ground ball machine.
Joe Filardi, #52
Filardi is also playing quarterback for the football team, donning the No. 13 jersey on Saturdays this fall. In a sense, his dual-threat football style translates to the lacrosse field. The defenseman excels in lockdown one-on-one situations which will become crucial in facing the ACC’s best attackmen. However, in addition to this defensive grounding, Filardi is the kind of long-pole player who can jumpstart a fast break. Some analysts have predicted that he could play some long-stick-midfield for the Orange. Another versatile player, versatile among division 1 sports at that.
Jake Meyer, #70
Meyer brings a strong blend of stick skills and offensive athleticism to the freshman class. He primarily worked from X (Behind the net), giving him the freedom to both self-create chances with a nifty high-pointed shot or find teammates that were moving off-ball. He’s a high level attackman who will keep a defense busy throughout the game. Hiltz’s departure creates a gap from last year’s attack group, and the Orange staff will need to quickly find short-stick playmakers with the Spallina finale upcoming in 2026.
Hansen Peck, #83
Peck’s rating comes with a major asterisk: he was originally a top 10 player in the 2026 class, but his reign of dominance at Lawrenceville (New Jersey) created a decision where Gait felt he was ready for the college game. He displays one of the highest stick skill levels in the 2025 class, and his overall sense and feel for the game has drawn the adjective “Slick” from multiple scouts. He is a blue-chip commit that is coming a year early.
Ted Rawson, #88
Rawson flipped from Ohio State to Syracuse in July of 2024. He uses a quick stick to keep the defense guessing at all times; Rawson routinely makes strong passes and shots in stride to help better facilitate ball movement. His off-ball play should excite Orange fans the most: great body movement and positioning to be in a successful spot the minute he does receive a pass.
While the season doesn’t start for months, and this freshman group might take more of a depth role due to the backlog of talent that the Orange possess, it is comforting to know that there is roster flexibility and extremely capable players no matter what circumstances arrive during the season. If you’re unhappy with the result of Saturday’s showdown against Tennessee, take solace in the fact that orange skies remain for Syracuse lacrosse.
