ualbany mlax 2024 MLAX Student-Athletes Signed

[HOF2013]

12 minutes ago, HOF2013 said:

Was at Western Reserve Academy in Ohio last year - was on the Inside Lacrosse committed list on 09/11/2023

 

[cwdickens]

Grayed_Dane_NIL has shared via Instagram another committed student-athlete from New Jersey.  Let us give a big University at Albany shoutout to Connor Kelly.

Just got done watching the recruiting video of Connor Kelly - 6’ 1” 175 pound LSM out of somewhere called Manasquan, NJ.

Never heard of it - but apparently they play some D at Manasquan!

Some 6’1” guys are beasts and we have bunch of said beasts on the roster already - Max Neeson, Cade Galko, Connor Gerlach. But Kelly is built different - he plays “long” for lack of a better word. Long legs, long arms, long body - runs the field like a gazelle and is an absolute Hoover when the ball is on the ground. Reminds me a little of a young Tanner Hay and I could easily see him finding early time as part of the faceoff unit.

Welcome to Albany - looking forward to seeing what you’re made of…

[cwdickens]

According to Grayed_Dane_NIL,our next incoming MLAX Freshman is the last and he is local, hailing from my hometown of Clifton Park, NY and Shenendehowa High School or just Shen as us locals refer to our school.  I am always excited when a local student-athlete stays local, whether it is UAlbany, Rensselaer, Union, Sage ect... A huge Great Dane shoutout to Freddy Hicks.  He is truly a special player,

Last up in the class of new recruits is Freddy Hicks - saved the hometown boy for last. Fred is a 6’2” 180 pound midfielder out of Shenendaehowa High School.

Shen has been a NY powerhouse in Section 2 the past few years and Freddy has been a big reason why. The big lefty has been a matchup nightmare for his opponents and he’s another one that plays with the type of aggressiveness that generates offense. Love the fact that he’s a multi sport athlete (hockey / soccer) and that he’s staying local. Plus, big fan of the name Freddy instead of just Fred. Played with a guy Freddy Ackerman out of Elmont who to this day remains one of my favorite teammates ever. My account - I’m allowed to work in an occasional shoutout to my boys.

Welcome Freddy - bring it.

From yesterday's Times-Union:

Midfield Freddy Hicks, Sr., Shenendehowa: Delivered a scholastic year filled with success as Hicks previously excelled with the soccer and hockey teams. The University at Albany commit showed himself to be a true two-way force on the lacrosse field as the Suburban Council first-team selection tallied 29 goals and 25 assists for the Section II Class A champion. Hicks also was named as an Academic All-American.

Edited June 21 by cwdickens
update

[cwdickens]

On 6/13/2024 at 8:41 PM, cwdickens said:

Actually, 3 Albany MLAX players have entered the Transfer Portal, none have transferred to another school, to date. 

The players are:

• Chris Crapanzano, M, Gr
• John Prizzi, M, Gr
• John VanValkenburgh, G, Sr.

In my opinion, no surprises here because of the remaining talent and the incoming talent.  Further, these student-athletes may withdraw from the portal.

 

As of June 25, 2024, none of these players have committed to another team.

[cwdickens]

On 6/12/2024 at 3:50 PM, cwdickens said:

From INSIDE LACROSS, via the Transfer Portal, transferring from Towson to UAlbany, Rocco Mareno, Face-off Specialist.

This fills an important need for next year.

Rocco, welcome to Great Dane Nation.

Grayed_Dane_NIL has posted his thoughts on the one incoming portal transfer, Rocco Mareno.

One more new face returning to the 518 in the Fall - Rocco Mareno will be transferring in as a junior from Towson. Rocco was a HS all American faceoff specialist out of Burnt Hills. With Regan Endres graduating, the starting spot is wide open and he will compete with Jezayd Hall and Austin Oppenheim for the job.

Put up very good numbers is a reserve roll at Towson behind their First Team All Conference starter.

Really hoping it’s not a nickname and that his given name is in fact just Rocco. I mean how great is this roster - Silas, Jezayd, Jackson, Amos and now Rocco. No last names required.

[cwdickens]

Grayed_dane_NIL has identified another incoming freshman ... looks like a very special prospect ... Koleton Marquis is a special talent…and now those talents are on their way to the 518. In 2023 Koleton was the IL #59 ranked incoming freshman in the country. His journey has taken him from Kahnawake, Quebec to Don Bosco Prep in NJ to Johns Hopkins and now to Albany. This just feels like the right fit.

Koleton is a 5’11” 175 pound righty athletic attackman who excels with the ball in his stick. Plays with his head up, outstanding passer and a prolific shooter. His addition to the lineup immediately makes everyone on the field better. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the coaching staff utilizes his talents because he is so dang versatile - could see him playing at that Hogg type hybrid role but could just as easily see him orchestrating the offense from behind.

I like summer just as much as the next guy, but if I’m being honest I’m ready for Fall Ball.

Welcome to the family - let’s see what you got!

[dslyank]

Looks like Koleton played one game in 2023 with 1 goal and did not play at all in 2024 for Hopkins. 
Was he hurt, injured or over hyped??

[cwdickens]

2 hours ago, dslyank said:

Looks like Koleton played one game in 2023 with 1 goal and did not play at all in 2024 for Hopkins. 
Was he hurt, injured or over hyped??

Looking at the size of JHU rooster, I suspect he got lost in the crowd, in particular with the number of seniors and grad students.   Perhaps, his style did match the current offensive style.  I can think of another reason, however; I am less certain about that.

[cwdickens]

On 7/6/2024 at 2:08 PM, cwdickens said:

Looking at the size of JHU rooster, I suspect he got lost in the crowd, in particular with the number of seniors and grad students.   Perhaps, his style did match the current offensive style.  I can think of another reason, however; I am less certain about that.

Today, I went back IL's Transfer Portal listing for athletes leaving a team and athletes joining a team.  Koleton was listed as the only outgoing athlete for Hopkins. I strongly believe the size of the Hopkins squad may had something to do with his decision.

[dslyank]

17 hours ago, cwdickens said:

Today, I went back IL's Transfer Portal listing for athletes leaving a team and athletes joining a team.  Koleton was listed as the only outgoing athlete for Hopkins. I strongly believe the size of the Hopkins squad may had something to do with his decision.

I really HOPE he is as good as Greyed says he is; but the 55th (or whatever #) man on Hopkins roster does not speak well for Koleton. Hopkins is NOT the power house it use to be; and like UA is in a rebuilding mode of late. Two years one goal and only 4 appearances (none in 2024); unless he had an injury or perhaps an academic issue, does NOT speak well for the young man, no matter how many he was competing with. There is an expression in sports that talent will always rise to the forefront?

I guess sometimes it may take longer for some. I HOPE that is the case with Koleton. Sometimes a change of scenery or being knocked down will be the impetus for the talent to come out/shine? Hopefully UA will have some fall ball scrimmage at home so we can get a good look at him and all the new recruits.

[cwdickens]

2 hours ago, dslyank said:

I really HOPE he is as good as Greyed says he is; but the 55th (or whatever #) man on Hopkins roster does not speak well for Koleton. Hopkins is NOT the power house it use to be; and like UA is in a rebuilding mode of late. Two years one goal and only 4 appearances (none in 2024); unless he had an injury or perhaps an academic issue, does NOT speak well for the young man, no matter how many he was competing with. There is an expression in sports that talent will always rise to the forefront?

I guess sometimes it may take longer for some. I HOPE that is the case with Koleton. Sometimes a change of scenery or being knocked down will be the impetus for the talent to come out/shine? Hopefully UA will have some fall ball scrimmage at home so we can get a good look at him and all the new recruits.

Sometimes, on the forum, people over analyze a player potential and/or what happen in the recent past.  What one can take from Koleton entering the portal, he was looking to play, and he was looking for a team with a great head coach.  

As part of the B10 Lacrosse Conference, did Hopkins recruit Koleton, so he did not end up on B10 team and/or traditional opponent.  However, what I have come to respect Gray_Dane_NIL as a trusted source of a player's abilities because he has played the game, and he has remained an advocate for our men's and women's player while they are here and beyond.  Lastly, Grayed_Dane_NIL best phrase is "Young man (or woman) show us what you have."  

This has been one heck of a recruiting class of freshmen and two transfer portal players.  Our returning players are among the best, UAlbany has seen in years.

If anyone thinks Scott Marr is not still on top of his game, well, you will have to deal with me.

 

[dslyank]

1 hour ago, cwdickens said:

This has been one heck of a recruiting class of freshmen and two transfer portal players.  Our returning players are among the best, UAlbany has seen in years.

If anyone thinks Scott Marr is not still on top of his game

+++

[HOF2013]

3 hours ago, cwdickens said:

Sometimes, on the forum, people over analyze a player potential and/or what happen in the recent past.  What one can take from Koleton entering the portal, he was looking to play, and he was looking for a team with a great head coach.  

As part of the B10 Lacrosse Conference, did Hopkins recruit Koleton, so he did not end up on B10 team and/or traditional opponent.  However, what I have come to respect Gray_Dane_NIL as a trusted source of a player's abilities because he has played the game, and he has remained an advocate for our men's and women's player while they are here and beyond.  Lastly, Grayed_Dane_NIL best phrase is "Young man (or woman) show us what you have."  

This has been one heck of a recruiting class of freshmen and two transfer portal players.  Our returning players are among the best, UAlbany has seen in years.

If anyone thinks Scott Marr is not still on top of his game, well, you will have to deal with me.

 

Agree!

[cwdickens]

On 6/13/2024 at 8:41 PM, cwdickens said:

Actually, 3 Albany MLAX players have entered the Transfer Portal, none have transferred to another school, to date. 

The players are:

• Chris Crapanzano, M, Gr
• John Prizzi, M, Gr
• John VanValkenburgh, G, Sr.

In my opinion, no surprises here because of the remaining talent and the incoming talent.  Further, these student-athletes may withdraw from the portal.

 

Inside Lacrosse no longer list the players as participants in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

I am not certain if the players withdrew from the Transfer Portal or an error by Inside Lacrosse.

[cwdickens]

On 7/23/2024 at 7:13 PM, cwdickens said:

Inside Lacrosse no longer list the players as participants in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

I am not certain if the players withdrew from the Transfer Portal or an error by Inside Lacrosse.

I rechecked the Inside Lacrosse Transfer Portal listing today, I must have overlooked the UAlbany outgoing player listing, as the three previous noted remain on the list and none have committed to a new program.