Michael Sowers, the Tewaaraton favorite after a blistering start to the 2020 season that was ultimately cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been named the US Lacrosse Magazine Division I Men’s Preseason Player of the Year.

No current college player made headlines like Sowers this summer, as the attackman’s tumultuous first few months of the pandemic were the subject of constant conversation in the lacrosse world. Once it became clear that Princeton would not grant its student-athletes an extra year of eligibility — a decision that was largely scrutinized but was consistent with Ivy League tradition — Sowers entered the transfer portal and made his way to Duke as a graduate student.

Sowers graduated from Princeton as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 302 points and is 98 shy of tying Lyle Thompson (Albany) for the most points in Division I men’s lacrosse history. He is also 50 assists from tying Pat Spencer (Loyola) for the most helpers in Division I men’s lacrosse history.

Whether he reaches these milestones has much to do with what kind of schedule we see this spring. If it’s shortened, then Sowers will have to play at the same blistering pace he began 2020, which saw him accumulate 47 points in just five games.

Sowers is the best Division I men’s lacrosse has to offer. On a Duke super-team, Sowers could make the NCAA tournament run that has eluded him thus far.