While the early recruiting issue gives me pause, and reason for concern, I still enjoy watching (and sharing) a good young lacrosse player with the LAS faithful. It’s time to introduce Jack Raba to the lacrosse world. I think this 2018 is something pretty special right now, and if he keeps it up (and keeps improving), he could be a dangerous threat at any level. There are no guarantees whatsoever with players at this age, and Jack still has a lot of work to do, but right now, it looks like he has a boatload of potential.
Jack Raba is the son of my college head coach, John Raba. My former coach, whom I still call “coach”, asked me to take a look at some video of Jack for an objective opinion, I obviously obliged, and then was summarily impressed by what I saw. Now, I know, it’s just a highlight tape… but watch it and tell me the kid doesn’t have some talent, especially for his age.
Jack Raba is a 2018, as I mentioned above, but he plays on the CT Cardinals 2017 team, and that means he plays against kids who are 2017s or even 2016s. There are four 2017 players on the team who are already looking like D1 locks. Again, it’s early, and these “D1 locks” don’t guarantee success, but it speaks to the fact that this is a talented team. On this competitive 2017 team, 2018 Jack Raba had the most goals. Does that mean anything? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps you should watch the tape and decide for yourself.
Jack Raba – 2018 Lacrosse Player
Jack Raba – Class of 2018 – Attack -Cheshire HS from CT Cardinals Lax Black 2014 on Vimeo.
Remember, this kid has never played a minute of high school lacrosse, and he is playing against kids who just finished their freshman or sophomore years. I’d say that’s pretty darn solid!
One thing I really like about his game is that Raba is a physical dodger. He doesn’t shy away from contact and he dodges with his head up. He also plays a really mean crease game, which is pretty rare in younger players these days. Coach Raba (his dad) gives credit to watching Wesleyan play so much as a young kid. While I think that may have helped a little, I tend to think Jack’s extensive (for a middle schooler) football background as a QB has also helped. Whatever the reason, he seems to understand the game really well.
Jack is now a freshman at Cheshire High School in CT. Chesire is a very talented program and the high school is big on sports. It will be interesting to see if Jack makes the varsity team or not. If he does, that could be good. If he plays JV for a year or two, that could also be good. I don’t know that Jack Raba is going to be blowing people’s doors off right away, but with 4 years of continued hard work and a love for the game, I do think we could see a top level talent. Not to put any pressure on him or anything… personally, I think he can take it.
Now, if you think that Jack might just be big for his age and don’t see what all the hype is about, you may have another thing coming. Coach Raba is a monster of a human being. At around 6′ tall, he cuts an imposing figure. He was a stud for the powerhouse University of New Haven Football Team back in the 90s. He was a tough Full Back, and then he played lacrosse his Senior year, even though he hadn’t played since graduating from Farmingdale HS on Long Island. He proceeded to take face offs for UNH and he ended up leading the country in scoring and making All-American. Check out some video of the elder Raba back in the day tearing it up on the gridiron:
John Raba New Haven Football 1992 from Jack Raba on Vimeo.
Yeah, the Rabas are athletes. How about some high school highlights? Sure, why not?
John Raba – Farmingdale High School Football / Lax 1989 from Jack Raba on Vimeo.
I also think it’s cool that Jack is so proud of his dad. High character? This kid’s got it! But I knew that already. Now you do too.
Maybe Jack will go D3 in the end and play for his father (as an alum, I’m pulling for this option!) at Wesleyan, but if he continues to improve, I could see him going pretty much anywhere he wants. Maybe I’m biased, but Raba looks like a darn good prospect!
