(Photo: Wilson Van Buren/Instagram)

Brendan Callahan and the Dartmouth Big Green got some good news on Sunday, as Blessed Trinity, Ga., junior faceoff man Wilson Van Buren announced that he would be taking his talents to Hanover in a few years. Van Buren also heavily considered Richmond and Boston U.

He announced his decision via Instagram.

Van Buren is the seventh commitment in the 2022 class for the Big Green and the first at the faceoff spot. It is also worth noting that Van Buren is the second player from the Peach State to verbal to the Big Green over the past three months, following 2021 Centennial, Ga., goalie Mason Morel who announced his decision in late September. Additionally, Dartmouth signed midfielder Cooper Higgins out of Lovett, Ga., in the 2020 class and have a total of eight players from the South on their roster, as the Big Green continues to make end roads in the region.

The academic prestige and conference in which Dartmouth plays were two big selling points, according to Van Buren. “The fact that it was an Ivy League. Top 10 school in the country. One of the best conferences to compete in in the country. Small school feel which I loved,”

Dartmouth initially reached out to Van Buren on September 1st, which was the first day that college coaches could contact 2022 recruits. The Peach State native said he was able to develop a great relationship with the staff. “One of the main reasons I committed to Dartmouth was because the coaches stood by my side throughout the fall and didn’t pressure me to make a decision.”

While in-person recruiting and visits are still off the table due to the recruiting dead period implemented by the NCAA, Van Buren was able to get up to Hanover on his own in October and see the campus for himself.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound faceoff man is rated as a three-star prospect by Inside Lacrosse and is one of the top prospects in his class in the state of Georgia. Not only does have have the quick hand speed needed to win the clamp and gain possession, but he can also do some damage himself as a shooter and a passer once in the offensive zone.

Speed is one area where Van Buren said he wants to focus on improving. “I would love to improve my speed. I am going to try to start running and doing sprints a lot more.”

Coming into his junior season, he has multiple goals for himself and his team. “Goals for myself would be to get first team all state, and hopefully even all American. Team wise the goal is to win the Georgia state championship, which my whole team knows is very achievable.”