Since the Transfer Portal came into existence in the fall of 2018, it has changed the game of lacrosse. The portal not only gives coaches another tool to address needs but it also gives players a chance to test the waters and see what their stock is, or find a new home easier than ever before.

Coupled with the transferring process being streamlined more than ever, the extra year that every player got following the 2020 season has led to a ballooning of the number of transfers (grad and undergrad) across college lacrosse the past few seasons. And while there are always moves that dominate the headlines, there are also those that do not.

Here is a look at some of the more under-the-radar transfer players that could make a significant impact at their new spots this spring.

Logan Liljeberg, Attack, UMass From Sacred Heart

A grad transfer from Sacred Heart, Liljeberg has elected to finish out in college lacrosse career playing for Greg Cannella and the UMass Minutemen. The two-time First-Team All-NEC selection was one of the faces of the Pioneers’ offense during his career, starting in all but three games during his four years with the program and leaving with his name near the top of the record books in many categories. He ranks fifth all-time in career points with 138 (73G/65A), ninth in career goals, and third in career assists. At UMass, Liljeberg adds more talent and depth to a roster that returns a solid core on offense with Gabriel Procyk, Dillon Arrant, Mike Tobin, and Chris Connolly, but does lose three of its top six scorers from a year ago in Billy Phillpott, Jeff Trainor, and Devin Spencer.

Grant Mitchell, Midfield, Duke From Ohio State

Mitchell garnered a bit more buzz than some others on this list, but still wasn’t one of the major headliners of this past transfer cycle. A Calvert Hall (Md.) product, Mitchell arrived in Columbus alongside his twin brother, Connor, and as an Under Armour All-American. During his two seasons with the Buckeyes, the midfielder appeared in 18 games and put up 21 points off 11 goals and 10 assists. That includes a 2021 campaign that saw him put up 13 points off seven goals and six assists as a top-five scorer for the Buckeyes. A junior, Mitchell still has a ton of upside, especially given his athleticism, that could fully be realized at Duke as apart of a fairly deep offense.

Tate Gallagher, Midfield, Penn State From Richmond

A grad transfer, Gallagher will be spending his final year of eligibility in his home state after a solid four-year career with SoCon power Richmond, where he was a three-time captain and was apart of two NCAA Tournament runs with the Spiders in 2018 and 2019. After being the Spiders’ sixth and seventh-leading scorer in 2019 and 2020, and starting 19 of 24 games during those two seasons, Gallagher switched to the short-stick defensive midfield position last year as a senior and flourished, scooping up eight ground balls, causing five turnovers, and scoring two goals on his way to a second-team All-SoCon selection at the position. A very versatile an experienced playmaker, could be an impact player on either side of the field for a Penn State team that loses some key players on both ends and is looking to bounce back after a disappointing season last spring.

Dominic Pryor, SSDM, North Carolina From Hofstra

North Carolina had a ton of success in between the boxes last season, especially in the clearing game where they went .893% (7th in DI), and much of that success was due to their rope unit and SSDMs, in particular. With the loss of Parker Alexander at the position, Dominic Pryor has an opportunity to step in and be an impact player on that unit alongside senior Connor Maher. A grad transfer from Hofstra, Pryor began his career as an offensive midfielder and was CAA All-Rookie selection as a freshman in 2018. However, he proved to be an absolute workhorse for the Pride over the past two seasons as their top defensive middies and an impact player in the transition game. He grabbed 30 ground balls and caused six turnovers last season while also adding one assist.

Noah Mendoza, Defense, Ohio State From Lafayette

Mendoza goes from playing for one Myers brother, Pat, to another, Nick, in just a matter of year after electing to take his talents to Ohio State following a strong freshman campaign at Lafayette. The Nashville native started all 11 games last season for the Leopards at close while recording 23 ground balls and 10 caused turnovers. At Ohio State, Mendoza is one of two transfer defensemen, along with Lynchburg (DIII) grad transfer Tyler Gallagher, and joins a defense that will see new faces at multiple spots and is looking to take a step forward after a sub-par showing in 2021. Mendoza, whether he gets the nod as a full-time starter or not, can slide right in on the back end and make an impact in some way shape, or form for this Buckeyes defense this spring.

Cam Logan, Goalie, Cleveland State From Hartford

A three-year starter for the Hawks, Logan was part of the mass exodus from Hartford following the university’s announcement that they would be dropping from DI to DIII. Logan started his final 23 games with the Hawks and recorded 273 saves with a .495% career save percentage. That includes a 77-save (.478%) season through seven games in 2021. Logan walks into a situation at Cleveland State where the Vikings have a hole in cage after Kevin Sobey left the program following a strong season last spring. Logan could very well step into that starting role.