2021 PLL College Draft Preview: Defense

Jared Conners – Virginia

Jared Conners is another big LSM who took advantage of a fifth season and brings leadership qualities after serving as a captain. Conners not only tips the scales at 6’5, 215, but possesses the agility to run with any sized attackman or midfielder. An All-American in 2019 and 2020, Conners’ skill and work ethic gained praise from his head coach Lars Tiffany who called him “unmatched.” 

A key piece of the Virginia defense, Conners brings the ability to square up 1-on-1 against whoever he needs to, but his 32 career points also make him an offensive threat and one of the highest-scoring LSM’s in UVA history. 

Ric Beardsley’s Take: I love this LSM. I had the chance to coach against him in high school and loved his game then. Now his game is at a completely different level. Conners is a guy who I think will really take advantage of the free-flowing transition game in the PLL and he will be really fun to watch. 

Brett Kennedy – Syracuse

This season hasn’t quite been quite the year that the Orange expected it to be on either side of the ball, but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on Brett Kennedy. A guy who can play both LSM and close D, Kennedy carved out a name for himself at close defenseman during 2020 after he was called to fill in for Nick Mellen. He did just that, earning Third Team All-American honors. Battle-tested in the ACC, Kennedy might not be the flashiest or biggest name available but he brings resiliency and versatility that could make him a valuable asset at the next level. 

Ric Beardsley’s Take: Syracuse’s defense might be down right now, but Kennedy is a kid who will be great at causing chaos in the PLL. He may have to tone it down a little bit against some midfielders, but he is a guy who will make the offense keep their heads on a swivel. He’s also a guy who has shown while at Syracuse that he can score in transition if needed.