Michigan’s newly launched Division I men’s lacrosse program should be eligible for frequent flyer miles when it comes from attracting recruits from sea to shining sea.
We told you yesterday about an athletic defender from Oregon, Ben Paris, who has decided on the Wolverines.
Michigan also continues to attract top tristate talent.
The latest player from the nation’s No. 1 hotbed for lacrosse to decide on the Maize & Blue is Will Reynolds, a major commitment that was first reported when it was made on July 28 by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s “Lacrosse Insider” section.
The 6-foot, 190-pound attackman, who graduated from Daniel Hand High School (Conn.), this past spring, will attend Michigan after a post-grad year at the Choate Academy.
A righty, Reynolds is an effective dodger and also relentless on rides. Reynolds, a strong athlete who had 46 goals and 68 points this past spring, was also a football standout at cornerback for Hand, the Class L state champs.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Will on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
Attending a strong academic school was very important to me. Not only will Michigan provide me with an excellent academic opportunity, it also has a breathtaking campus, overwhelming athletic facilities and tremendous school spirit and tradition. Michigan also has a very strong commitment to the lacrosse team and a great coach that has very high expectations for the program.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
Middlebury,Tufts, Amherst, Bowdoin, Trinity and Brown. I also visited Providence, Lehigh and Lafayette.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
Some of my coaches have said I have a good field sense so I can help create opportunities for the offense. I also like to be physical on the ride and I enjoy dodging the poles to the cage.
What area of your game do you need to work on?
I’d like to work on making good decisions when faced with a double team or slide. There is always room for improvement and I believe in the saying, “Show me a satisfied person and I’ll show you a failure.”
How did you get introduced to lacrosse and what other sports have you played?
I began playing organized lacrosse when I was in second grade. My very first clinic was with Coach (Bob) Russell, who also coached me in some off season fall tournaments. I also played basketball and football which I continued into high school. I ended up committing to football in high school where I was a starting cornerback for the 2012 Daniel Hand football championship team which finished with the No. 2 ranking in the state.
What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I played for the Long Island Sting this summer. We competed at Best of the Best, Legacy and the Under Armour Shoot Out.
Any final thoughts?
My club coach, Mr. (Ken) Miller of the LI Sting, was a guiding light for me and my family in the recruiting process. He recognized my strengths as a lacrosse player and knows exactly how to showcase his players. I admire his expertise and passion to the sport of lacrosse and I’m very thankful for all of his help.
I also want to thank my parents for their support over the years. They encouraged me to always strive to do my best.
Another person who needs to be recognized is Mike Ranfone, my trainer, whose guidance has helped me get to this point and I believe will be another key to helping to prepare me for D-I competition.
I’d also like to thank Coach (Jeff) Lombardo, my high school coach, and Coach (John) Orlando, my indoor/preseason coach and Coach (George) Baldassare for all of his hard work volunteering and helping with the high school program. I appreciate their enthusiasm, dedication and passion for this great sport.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Email us at info@laxlessons.com or joe@laxlessons.com or send a Tweet to @Joe_Lombardi or @LaxLessons.
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Posted In: Connecticut, Recruiting Rundown
Definitely a kid whose best lacrosse is ahead of him.