SU is likely to be in the market for 1 or 2 more portal adds. I don't expect anywhere near the # we saw last year but an O player and a potential ssdm will be potential adds. A backup fogo is a possibility as well but I think that's less likely. Obviously they already added a potential high end pole, don't think we'll see anymore l.
Just for conversations sake, I'd prioritize the following positions -
1. SSDM - This shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. I thought this was the weakest position group coming into the season, and it didn't help that SU lost two rotation players early in the season (Max Rosa and Landon Clary). Rice has been a revelation this year, but it's a steep drop off to the second guy. Fingers crossed that Patrick Hackler decides to come home. That would give SU an excellent starting duo. I honestly would like SU to bring in two or three guys here, but not sure if that's possible.
It seems like a couple of SSDMs have already committed to other schools already, like Monfrett from Yale to Hopkins, and a couple of Princeton players. Perhaps someone comes back next year with Carter Rice-like improvement, but that seems like a big ask. Also I don't see anyone in the freshman class as a potential SSDM. Like others have stated, perhaps Donny Scott makes the transition, and hopefully Rosa comes back. Still, there is a big hole on the roster that needs to be filled.
2. Offensive "weapon" - prior to this weekend I would have said dodging attackman, but it seems as though if need be, Michael Leo could make the transition to attack next year. I still think someone needs to come in and replace Jake Stevens' dodging. That could be a player already on the roster - perhaps Wyatt Hottle moves back to offense or Tucker Kellogg makes a sophomore leap. Matt McIntee has been putting up good numbers for East Islip and will be a power 100 recruit. I'm already assuming that Payton Anderson grabs some sort of top six position on offense, but it's clear that SU needs one more guy who can take his defender to the rack.
Offense has the potential to be very good next year, but it feels like adding one more top level guy could really take things to the next level. I like Trey Deere, but I'm hoping he can hold on for one more year and replace Owen Hiltz when the Canadian graduates. We've seen how the offense can struggle when the third attackman on the field has a hard time dodging.
3. Long Stick Midfielder - This issue might have already been solved by bringing in Mike Grace, but this position still lacks some depth. Perhaps the coaches are okay with Dylan Sageder returning as a backup, perhaps Tommy Drago comes back to man the position this year. But SU is still losing their top two LSMs, and with Matt Wright being out their third string guy in Steven Schmitt will also be moving on next year. SU doesn't bring in any LSMs in their next recruiting class. Perhaps Scott makes the move here. If not for Grace, I would have moved this position up to the second position. I thought Pace Billings from Princeton could be an answer here, but he's off to Michigan. At least publicly it doesn't look like there are any other LSMs in the portal.
4. Goalie - This position could be labeled, "unknown" since this really comes down to how the coaches view Jimmy McCool. If they are not sold on the former Five Star recruit, then this position becomes a big need and probably vaults up to number one. With Luke Staudt, a proven local boy in the portal already, I have to imagine the coaches are at least going to kick the tires. I've already written a lot about how I am in favor of bringing in Staudt so I won't repeat myself, but I think it would be worth doing.
5. Backup FOGO - Obviously if Mason Kohn decides to move onto law school next year, John Mullen is the starter for next year's team, and there is plenty to be excited about there, especially after the Towson game. But I think it would be helpful to have a proven backup, as we've seen how well things work with two high level guys. That said it's probably quite difficult to convince a transfer to come in as a backup. Virginia was able to bring in three different FOGOs last offseason, but I'm not sure how replicable that is. Nick Ramsey, a player with starting experience for Yale (career 55% winning percentage) is in the portal.
Unless there are surprise deflections from next years team, I think close defense should be a source of strength next year. The above looks like a long shopping list, but all things considered, I think SSDM is really the only position that screams out "must address". There are lots of considerations to balance - you can't just bring in guys for the sake of bringing them in. That said, if SU can add a few high level pieces, they should really be in good shape next year. The Orange brought in the best transfer class last year, but they obviously had a lot of holes to fill. This year they can approach the portal from a position of strength still, as they should be a top contender next year.
