We’ve gone through the top forwards to keep an eye on heading into this fall’s NLL Draft. Now, it’s time to give some love to the guys playing out of the back gate! With the various summer circuits in the midst of the playoffs, players looking to hear their names called will be trying to cement themselves as surefire picks this year while helping their respective teams towards trophies.

This year, there are a number of defenders who could be serious help to teams right off the hop. Including a few names from our forwards piece who could drop to the back end, this is an incredibly intriguing class on defence.

These prospects are in alphabetical order for the moment; we’ll whittle down our big board as we get closer to draft day. This is just a primer to get you set with the initial names to watch. The list of prospects will get larger as we near the draft, as there are always several names that renounce their college eligibility to go pro after the National Championships are done. So please, keep your eyes peeled for new content as we head into draft day.

Thank you again to Corporal at Swarm It Up, who’s always staying as up to date as possible on everything surrounding the NLL Draft. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the countless hours that’s put in on that site.

With all that said, let’s get into the top defenders in this year’s class!

2025 NLL DRAFT ANALYSIS

FORWARDS TO WATCH

Photo: David Pickering/Peterborough Lakers

Bo Columbus, RD, Robert Morris & Brooklin (MSL)

Ah, yes, the age-old debate: “Do faceoffs matter?” Okay, maybe a conversation for another day. Regardless of where you stand, one thing is clear: Bo Columbus is more than just a FOGO.

The Robert Morris product brings solid size, sharp lacrosse IQ, and an undeniable work ethic every time he steps on the floor. Since breaking onto the scene as a 17-year-old and winning a Founders Cup with Elora in 2018, Columbus has shown consistent development, evolving into a well-rounded and reliable prospect.

His commitment to improving all areas of his game makes him an intriguing option for NLL teams looking for a face-off specialist who can still contribute whether he wins or loses the draw.

Andrew Dalton, LT, Cornell & Toronto (OJLL)

Dalton will be one of the great mysteries in the draft in terms of where teams view his value. The last time we saw him in the box was with the Beaches during the 2022 Minto Cup. He was one of the key transition threats for Toronto that year, alongside 2024 draftees Jakson Raposo and the Acchione twins.

The Toronto product most recently helped Cornell break its long NCAA Championship drought, playing as a midfielder for the Big Red.

Dalton has reportedly had surgery to fix an injury that has hindered him since that 2022 season. He enters the draft as someone who will likely slip into the second or third round, but could be a solid depth pick for an NLL team.

Jaxon Fridge, LD, Canisius & Burnaby (WLA)

Jaxon Fridge won’t blow anybody away with his size or strength, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for with elite IQ and surgical stick skills, causing turnover after turnover before vacuuming up the loosey, turning on the jets, and finishing in transition.

While fellow Adanac defender Ty Banks drew a lot of eyes with his stellar defensive work on the Orangeville lefties at the 2024 Minto Cup, Fridge quietly dominated Joey Spallina, playing a massive role in holding him goalless against the Adanacs in the Minto Cup Finals.

A literal Swiss Army Knife, I expect Jaxon Fridge to follow in his father Daren’s footsteps and make an immediate impact early in his NLL career, wherever he is selected.

Aiden MacDonell, RD, St. Bonaventure & Owen Sound (MSL)

MacDonell is the older brother of 2024 draft pick Angus, who declared early and was selected by Buffalo. This year, it’s Aiden’s time to hear his name called following a collegiate career with the Bonnies.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder has an ideal frame to play out of the back gate and also excels at being a pain for opposing forwards. He’s very good at sticking to his man with good footwork and athleticism, and he’s a pest, excelling at getting under the skin of opponents.

He’s able to get out in transition, but MacDonell excels at the defensive side of things, anchoring a back end last year for Mimico which came just short of appearing in the Minto. MacDonell has not appeared in any senior games to this point, but he’s spent the summer coaching the Mountaineers’ defence in the OJLL. He could be another player that makes it into the first round, but if he slips to the second or later, a team will be getting a solid defender to bring to camp this fall.

Logan Mellish, RT, Coquitlam (BCJALL)

Literally named after the Logan Special traditional lacrosse stick, Mellish lives true to his name — gritty, mean, tough, hard-nosed, old-school defender.

While he brings physicality every shift, the North Shore native also shows glimpses of transitional flare and freak athleticism.

Mellish brought a lot of attention to himself at the 2023 Minto Cup in Edmonton with a decisive fight vs Conner Cook in the opening game, and while that year’s tournament saw his Coquitlam Adanacs fall short, Mellish picked up his Minto ring the following season.

Nathan Miller, RD, Coquitlam (BCJALL)

A steady defender on the Adanacs’ backend, Miller has quietly become one of the most reliable back gate guys on a loaded squad over the last few junior seasons.

Miller is a great crease defender on the PK, and he has also proven to have a great defensive stick, causing turnovers and grabbing loosies at his leisure. Oh, and he’s played in a national championship his last three junior seasons — with the Adanacs looking poised to feature in the Minto again this year.

Throw some transitional and face-off upside to his game on top of it all, and you have the makings for a potential NLL regular for whatever team calls his name at the draft.

Connor Nock, LD, Quincy & Owen Sound (MSL)

The only thing Nock has done over the course of his junior lacrosse career is win. A 2022 Founders Cup Championship with Nepean proceeded back-to-back Minto Cups with Burlington and Coquitlam in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

He ended up on the Adanacs due to the Beaches roster issues last summer, but he immediately fit into the Coquitlam system, becoming a shutdown guy alongside Ty Banks.

Nock is a 6-foot-3, 205-pounder who’s equal parts skilled and nasty on the defensive end. He also has pretty solid stick skills and athleticism for someone known mostly for his defensive efforts.

The Stittsville, Ontario product is a favourite of his coaches in Owen Sound, and that’ll carry over to the pros. He does whatever his team asks of him to win lacrosse games. Nock should hear his name called in the first round this fall.

Kyle Pepper, RD, St. Bonaventure & Victoria (WLA)

Pepper’s stock could be on a bit of an uptick as he continues to shine with the Sr. Shamrocks out west. The shifty right-hander has been used in many ways by Head Coach Mike Simpson this summer and broke out with a seven-goal, 12-point night.

A multi-tool player, Pepper will most likely play a two-way role in the NLL at the start of his career, and that should suit him just fine. From face-offs, top of the short-man, and transition, he will accept any role put in front of him.

He has incredible hands in close to the cage, and a never-ending gas tank, but more importantly — despite not being the biggest body on the floor — he has no issue banging and crashing for extra possessions.

The Victoria, BC product should factor in to the 2nd round but depending on needs, could sneak into the end of the first round.

Adam Thistlethwaite, LD, Albany & Peterborough (MSL)

Thistlethwaite is another intriguing defensive prospect emerging from the Peterborough Lakers program.

The Cobourg, ON native brings a well-rounded toolkit to the back end, combining size, speed, stick skills, and tenacity, which are all qualities that NLL teams look for in a defender. He plays a physical, disciplined style and isn’t afraid to jump into transition when the opportunity presents itself.

Thistlethwaite’s high motor and relentless compete level make him a constant presence on the floor, though at times, his aggressiveness can lead to overcommitments and scrambly sequences. Still, with his steady growth, strong foundation, and supreme athleticism, Thistlethwaite projects as a high-upside defender drawing interest from GMs across the league.

Ben Trumble, RT, Colgate & Peterborough (MSL)

Trumble’s size, speed and strength will have NLL GMs foaming at the mouth to get their hands on him and unlock his potential. The Orillia, Ontario native has shown at the junior level he’s not afraid to jump up in the rush and create offence in transition.

In fact, in 2023, he won the Terry Sanderson Memorial Award for Transition Player of the Year in his last season of junior lacrosse. That wasn’t the only hardware he took home as he helped the Burlington Blaze win their first Minto Cup in program history.

This summer with the Lakers, he has focused more on his own side of the floor and becoming a more well rounded D-Man.

Levi Verch, LD, St. Joseph’s & Nanaimo (WLA)

If you want a pro-ready player who plays with an edge, then Verch is your man. Depending on who you ask, the 6-foot-2, 212-pound defender from Victoria via St. Joseph’s could be the best defender in this class.

Mean, physical and athletic, Verch is a prototypical NLL-style defender who’s comfortable pushing the tempo and extending out in pressure situations — think Nick Weiss or Brad Kri. He can match feet with the best of them, as well as body-up the bigger-sized forwards. He likes to stay home, but when the opportunity presents itself, Verch does have a bit of scoring touch as well.

If the Rock trade one of their top three picks, Verch could hear his name called quite early, but with their backend rather stocked up, it’s unlikely they opt for a defender. Meaning, teams picking fourth through eighth should be thrilled at the chance to pick up the talented defender.

Photo: Photo Dave Fryer/Orangeville Northmen

Jordan Vincent, RD, Nanaimo (BCJALL)

Vincent is coming to the end of his junior career this summer, as he returned home to play for Nanaimo.

The Comox, BC native spent last summer in the OJLL, making the jump to play for Mimico. While he had just four points in the regular season, he pitched in nine goals and 10 points in transition for the Mountaineers during their run to the Ontario Final.

Wearing a letter for the Jr Timbermen this summer, Vincent has helped stabilize their back end and even scored the game-winner against Victoria in the dying minutes a few nights ago.

Vincent is a good athlete who also has tenacity and transition ability. Depending on how far Nanaimo goes in the playoffs, he should hear his name in the first few rounds this year.

2025 NLL Draft - Defenders to Watch