The 2021 PLL College Draft is right around the corner! To prepare, we're spotlighting the top prospects in each position group and sharing former pro lacrosse players and coaches' thoughts on the top PLL prospects.
The old adage goes “defense wins championships.” There are many players listed below that will help do just that at the next level. As we inch closer to the PLL’s 2021 College Draft, there is a ton of talent on the defensive end. This group includes many guys who were originally projected to be taken in last year’s draft, but decided to utilize their extra year of eligibility. From your stereotypical Notre Dame defender to some high-flying LSMs, this year’s defensive class has the potential to make a quick impact in the PLL. Lacrosse Playground connected with former Atlas defensive coordinator and Syracuse All-American Ric Beardsley to get his take on some of the top LSM and defensive prospects available in the upcoming PLL College Draft.
LSM
Ryan McNulty - Loyola
The Philadelphia-area native returned to Loyola this season to use his final year of eligibility after a COVID shortened senior season in 2020. Ryan McNulty is a guy who can not only help shut down opponents, but also enjoys jumping into the play on the offensive half. His skill set and ability on the field was summarized by then Johns Hopkins head coach Dave Pietramala to the Baltimore Sun after facing McNulty during the 2020 season: "Ryan McNulty defines what the long-stick midfield is or quite frankly has become."
A co-captain for three seasons at Loyola, the LSM was among the top-three on the team in both ground balls and caused turnovers in four of his five seasons, with the only exception coming in an injury-shortened freshman campaign. Through the first nine games of 2021, McNulty ranked 8th all-time at Loyola in caused turnovers and is in a position to crack the top 15 in school history for ground balls as well.
Ric Beardsley’s Take: He’s got size at 6’2, 200lbs and the kid has balls. Loyola LSM’s learn from one of the best to play it in Matt Dwan and it shows with McNulty. He’s a hammer on any O-mid threat he faces and is excellent in transition. McNulty is a player who is set to benefit from a free-flowing game between the lines like you see in the PLL.
Jared Conners - Virginia
Jared Conners is another big LSM who took advantage of a fifth season and brings leadership qualities after serving as a captain. Conners not only tips the scales at 6’5, 215, but possesses the agility to run with any sized attackman or midfielder. An All-American in 2019 and 2020, Conners' skill and work ethic gained praise from his head coach Lars Tiffany who called him “unmatched.”
A key piece of the Virginia defense, Conners brings the ability to square up 1-on-1 against whoever he needs to, but his 32 career points also make him an offensive threat and one of the highest-scoring LSM’s in UVA history.
Ric Beardsley’s Take: I love this LSM. I had the chance to coach against him in high school and loved his game then. Now his game is at a completely different level. Conners is a guy who I think will really take advantage of the free-flowing transition game in the PLL and he will be really fun to watch.
Brett Kennedy - Syracuse
This season hasn’t quite been quite the year that the Orange expected it to be on either side of the ball, but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on Brett Kennedy. A guy who can play both LSM and close D, Kennedy carved out a name for himself at close defenseman during 2020 after he was called to fill in for Nick Mellen. He did just that, earning Third Team All-American honors. Battle-tested in the ACC, Kennedy might not be the flashiest or biggest name available but he brings resiliency and versatility that could make him a valuable asset at the next level.
Ric Beardsley’s Take: Syracuse's defense might be down right now, but Kennedy is a kid who will be great at causing chaos in the PLL. He may have to tone it down a little bit against some midfielders, but he is a guy who will make the offense keep their heads on a swivel. He’s also a guy who has shown while at Syracuse that he can score in transition if needed.
Defense
JT Giles-Harris - Duke
Not much hasn’t been said about JT Giles-Harris in lacrosse circles over the last several seasons. The Duke product would have potentially been a top draft pick in the PLL last season had he decided to leave school. Regarded by many as the top defender in the nation, Giles-Harris has started almost every game since arriving in Durham in 2017 and is a three-time All-American.
Currently ten caused turnovers away from surpassing the Duke record held by Luke Duprey, Giles-Harris has the athleticism, skillset and lacrosse IQ to step right onto a PLL field and make a difference when called upon to cover some of the world’s best. He’s the front-runner to win the Schmeisser Award and is feared by collegiate attackmen for a reason.
Ric Beardsley’s Take: JT Giles-Harris is a freak athlete. He’s a great cover guy and is superior off-ball. He’s been great in college, but he is going to play very well into the rules with the smaller field in the PLL.
Nick Grill - Maryland
While Grill might not get the publicity and recognition to the extent that Giles-Harris does, he’s been an integral part of the Terps' success so far this season. After spending his first three years at Marquette, Grill has spent the last two seasons under John Tillman at Maryland. Since arriving in College Park, the defender has started every game for the Terps and drawn top offensive assignments in the Big Ten including current Archer and last year’s top pick, Grant Ament. What he lacks in size, Grill makes up for in tenacity and lacrosse IQ. Grill will look to join brother, BJ, in the PLL this summer.
Ric Beardsley’s Take: I love this kid’s toughness. Even though he’s small he’s always on the hands. Forget the fact that he’s 5’8” because he plays like he’s 6’5”. Overall he’s just a great lockdown defenseman.
Jack Kielty - Notre Dame
Death, taxes and Notre Dame poles in the PLL. Kielty seems to be the next in line from Kevin Corrigan’s crew to make the jump and an impact at the next level. To see what Kielty can do on the field, you need to look no further than what he was able to do in Notre Dame’s impressive victory over Duke on April 10. Kielty who was tasked with handling Michael Sowers and held the talented attackman to just a single assist and three shots on net. Kielty has started every game since his sophomore season and utilizes his 6’2” frame very well against opponents. Strong and smart, Kielty shouldn’t have issues transferring his game to the next level.
Ric Beardsley’s Take: Notre Dame defensemen are great in the PLL and Kielty is going to continue that trend. The Irish play a great scheme and have intelligent defenders. As we saw last week against Duke, he can be a very effective number one defender and shut down some of the most skilled players out there.
Chris Fake - Yale
Even though Fake will enter the summer having only played four competitive games dating back to the start of the 2020 season, he brings a wealth of experience and PLL-ready game. During his two full seasons under Andy Shay, Fake finished each season ranked in the top three in caused turnovers. From his first day on campus, Fake was facing top opponent’s top attackmen and was an integral part of the Bulldogs 2018 National Championship run. If you’re worried his lack of collegiate experience will hurt his development as a player, all you have to do is look at some of the players Fake faced on a daily basis at practice while with the Bulldogs. From Matt Gaudet to Ben Reeves, Fake has competed against the best of the best while at Yale.
Ric Beardsley’s Take: The year off may hurt him or it may not. Either way, this kid is a specimen. He is going to come out of the gate in great shape. Wherever he goes, he will be a lockdown close defenseman who can break arms. Pad up PLL attack!