Five Terps land on Inside Lacrosse Preseason Top 50 list

John Gugs
2 days ago
4 min read

With the season just around the corner, Inside Lacrosse has released their preseason top 50 players in the country list. This year, the Terps have five players on the list which is tied for the most in the country. This is a massive improvement over just having one player on the list in Logan McNaney last year.

Leo Johnson was the first Terp to crack the rankings. Johnson, in his first year with the Terps, is coming off of a down year at Yale where he only scored 46 total points on the season. However, with Yale as a whole struggling last season, it is hard to tell how much was on Johnson. It was also Johnson’s first season back after a season ending injury in 2024. Now that he has had a full off-season to prepare and get stronger, Johnson could very well be back at his full form and be a big piece for the Terps this season. “He appeared to be a focal point of the Terrapin offense in a fall ball scrimmage vs Cornell” said Inside Lacrosse. “With only one college season left, Johnson’s quarterbacking skills will be key if the Terps make another deep run in May.”

AJ Larkin was next just one spot below Johnson at 39. Larkin is coming off a stellar season where he had ten caused turnovers and 39 ground balls along with adding six points to his name. Larkin finished the season on a heater getting himself named to the NCAA All-Tournament team last season. With Jack McDonald now gone, Larkin becomes the true #1 long stick midfielder for the Terps and will be looking to build off his stellar 2025 campaign. “His athleticism at 6-3, 215 lbs., makes him an ever-present threat in transition," said Inside Lacrosse. “And he doesn’t get beat on-ball either."

The next Terp to land in the rankings was Eric Kolar. Kolar landed at 30 on the top 50 list. Last season was Kolar’s second season as a top line SSDM which he finished with 13 caused turnovers, ten ground balls, and a goal to his name. Last season was Kolar’s first season in which he finished as an All-American earning second team honors from USILA and third team honors from USA Lacrosse. Kolar and Geroge Stamos will be paired together on the top line for the second season in a row and both are expected to take even bigger leaps than last season. “Kolar was the key cog in the Terrapin d-middie unit last year and has all the tools to continue doing so as a senior” said Inside Lacrosse. “He may not put up the gaudy stats the one SSDM ranked higher on this list does, but Kolar does everything required for the No. 2 adjusted efficient defense.”

Eric Spanos was the fourth Terp to crack Inside Lacrosse’s top 50. Spanos came in at 17 after not making the list last season. Spanos returns for his final season with the Terps where he will be looking to improve on his 55 point season in 2025. Spanos has led the team in points scored the last two seasons and is second on the team in scoring since he started to touch the field. Spanos earned first team All-Big Ten honors and was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team as he had a strong finish to the season where he showed promise of being the main guy on the offense. “Though Maryland’s offense thrives as a faceless, share-the-ball unit,” said Inside Lacrosse. “Spanos’ physicality and clear confidence that developed last year took the Terps to a whole new level.”

The final Terp to crack the Inside Lacrosse top 50 list was Will Schaller. Schaller is coming off an explosive season in his first year as a starter. Schaller earned first team All-American honors from USILA, named first team All-Big Ten, named Big Ten defensive player of the year, and earned NCAA All-Tournament team honors as well. Having 23 caused turnovers and 31 ground balls last season quickly put Schaller on the map as a top cover man defender in the country after many questioned if he could be as good as Ajax Zappitello who graduated. Schaller more than answered the call and will look to build on his junior season with a happier ending this go around. “His arrival as the Terrapins’ breakout star came after two years under the tutelage of guys like Zappitello”, said Inside Lacrosse. As the full-time top guy last year, his consistency and killer instinct turned him into the fully realized defensive threat that defines the Maryland program.”

The Terps open up their season on the road at Richmond against the Spiders who are looking like a top 10 team this season. The game is on January 31st and is set to face-off at noon ET. The game will be available for streaming on ESPN+.

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