On January 23, the Denver Outlaws used their fourth round pick (30th overall) to select Carson Cannon from the University of Denver. The 6’4”, 200 lb. Cannon plays defense for DU and was named as one of the three team captains on February 11.
Prior to playing for DU, he played six years of lacrosse; was team captain in his senior year of high school; and a member of the 2009 U.S. Boys’ High School All-America Team. During his college career as a freshman he started all 16 games, recording 14 ground balls and eight caused turnovers. During his sophomore year, he started 18 of 19 games, with 17 ground balls and three caused turnovers. He was also a First Team All-ECAC in 2013. In his junior year, he started 17 games, and missed the other two due to an injury. Overall in his career with the University of Denver, he saw action in 52 games; had 20 caused turnovers; and 44 ground balls.
Cannon was a two-sport athlete in high school playing both lacrosse and football. He played seven years of football as a wide receiver and safety; and six years of lacrosse.
I discussed with Denver Outlaws GM Tony Seaman his thoughts on Cannon. He said:
“Carson is an outstanding athlete and more importantly has been coached for four years by Bill Tierney, who is the very best coach in the present era of lacrosse. One of the reasons we like DU guys is because of the coaching they receive at DU with Tierney, Matt Brown, and Trevor Tierney. We are always looking for the best all around athletes but the bonus at DU is the coaching that they receive over their four years of college.”
A fellow writer for In Lacrosse We Trust had this to say about Cannon during his high school years:
“He was bigger and faster than everyone on the field. He sees the field better than most other players. He’s vicious as a defenseman. When my brother an attackmen played against Carson, he said he had the heaviest slap checks in our league. He actually dropped me on a hospital pass at midfield; and he was middle of his defensive box.”
Cannon is aggressive on defense and with his size; this could make a huge difference when he’s on the field. With the retirement of Lee Zink, if Cannon continues his success with the University of Denver; and can stay healthy in his final year of college, at the end of his senior career he very well may find a spot on the squad for the Outlaws.
The Outlaws have had much success with the college players they have chosen, and the University of Denver seems to be the school where they draw the most talent. In the last few years, they have picked up Eric Law on attack; Jeremy Noble on midfield; and Terry Ellis on defense.
Will Carson Cannon be the next DU player to make the cut? It will be interesting to see how it plays out for the Outlaws in the 2o15 season.
