The Major League Lacrosse College Draft is Friday, January 22 at 8:30 p.m. at the US Lacrosse Convention Center in Baltimore. The general consensus this year is Myles Jones and Matt Kavanagh are the must have products and the rest of the draft is a toss up. Part two of our preview breaks down the midfield.
5) Colin Woolford, Denver
Woolford’s role has increased each year and he really stepped up during Denver’s National Championship run scoring six goals in the postseason. He is a grinder who will be expected to step into a key offensive role this season. He is 6’2″ and 200 lbs. so he has the size to be successful at the next level.
4) Bryan Cole, Maryland
The big, physical, middie led the Terps with 22 assists and also had 19 goals. He totaled 20 points over final six games as an integral part of Maryland’s run to the national title game. He can move down to attack as well as he started Maryland’s season opener there. He is also the decision maker on the extra-man unit and is an excellent decision maker.
3) Deemer Class, Duke
Class is a two year starter for the Blue Devils and already a two-time National Champion. Last season be began toinitiate more on offense and had at least one point in all 18 games and registered at least three goals six times. As a sophomore, his 65 points were the most by a Duke midfielder in program history at the time (which was broken last season by Myles Jones).
2) Greg Coholan, Virginia
Coholan had a breakout year for the Cavaliers with 39 goals and 14 assists earning honorable mention All-America honors. The Rochester, NY product is still very underrated among fans, but not by MLL front offices. Coholan may be the most versatile middie in the country who can play at both attack and midfield. He can make plays dodging and can also be effective shooting in open space off the pick. He is the first two-time captain at UVA since Steele Stanwick.
1) Myles Jones, Duke
Jones is already one o the biggest stars in the game. A 6’5″and 240 lbs. he is one of the most physically dominating forces at any level and has elite speed. He has even been compared to the legend Jim Brown and Paul Rabil. He led the Blue Devils in scoring with 77 points with 40 goals and 37 assists leading all midfielders nationally in scoring and ranked fourth overall in points per game. He has improved his shooting and passing over the last couple of seasons as well. He will be a matchup nightmare in the MLL and like Lyle Thompson last season, there is no secret who will go #1 overall. John Tucker and the Atlanta Blaze can’t wait to get Jones a uniform.
Up next: Top 5 Defense and Goalies
Brendan McDaniels is a color analyst for the MLL Television broadcasts. Follow Brendan on Twitter @McDanielsSports.
