Rising lacrosse star Carson Blair commits to Vermont, strengthening MIAA pipeline

The Archbishop Spalding midfielder joins a program with championship pedigree under Coach Chris Feifs

Al Franyo | For several conferences in Division I college

Archbishop Spalding junior midfield Carson Blair has committed to play his college lacrosse at the University of Vermont. / Courtesy of the Blair Family

Adding to Vermont’s growing legacy is their latest recruit, 2026 lacrosse, the top contenders in 2025 are, unsurprisingly, programs with established success and renowned coaches. One such program deserving of recognition is Vermont. Under the leadership of Coach Chris Feifs, the Catamounts have built a strong reputation in the America East Conference, consistently contending for championships. Now entering his ninth season at the helm, Feifs has guided Vermont to multiple America East Tournament Championship appearances, culminating in back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, which secured NCAA Tournament berths.

Adding to Vermont’s growing legacy is their latest recruit, 2026 Archbishop Spalding midfielder Carson Blair, who recently committed to the Catamounts. Blair’s decision was heavily influenced by his admiration for the program and its coaching staff, particularly Feifs, with whom he developed a strong connection early in the recruiting process. His commitment marks another chapter in Vermont’s expanding relationship with the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), a league known for producing top-tier lacrosse talent.

Blair becomes the first MIAA player from the 2026 class to commit to Vermont, but he is far from the first to make the move north. The Catamounts’ 2025 roster already boasts four MIAA alumni, including two Spalding graduates, further solidifying the program’s growing pipeline from this powerhouse high school conference.

This commitment is not just a personal milestone for Blair but also an exciting development for both Spalding and Vermont Lacrosse. As Blair looks ahead to his collegiate career, he first has the opportunity to leave a lasting mark at Spalding. The team has never captured an MIAA “A” Conference title, but with Blair in the lineup, that could change. If Spalding manages to secure its first-ever championship, Blair would bring valuable championship experience to Vermont—a program that certainly knows what it takes to win.

Congratulations to Carson and his family on this exciting journey ahead! His talent, work ethic, and connection with Vermont’s coaching staff make him a perfect fit for a program with championship aspirations. As the Catamounts continue to build their roster with top recruits, Blair’s addition reinforces Vermont’s position as a force to be reckoned with in the America East Conference.

PublishedFor several conferences in Division I college

AL FRANYO

Al Franyo has been a die-hard fan and follower of lacrosse, especially at the high school and college levels, since the late-80s. He absolutely loves watching games, as well as talking and writing about the sport. On Facebook, he founded the College Lacrosse Discussion Page, which has well over 15,000 members, and helped found and runs the MIAA Lacrosse Discussion Page, which has nearly 5,000 members. The MIAA A Conference is one of the strongest, most competitive and exciting high school conferences in America. Three of his favorite topics include recruiting news about players making college commitments, programs taking the next steps under their respective head coaches, and programs that are so-called "sleepers" when it comes to being very good to great. Even with lacrosse growing at such a rapid pace, Franyo loves how it is still such a small, tight, and fun world. And, in many ways, it is its own culture. He began writing about his favorite sport for High School On Cheap Rs-flyfishing Jordan Outlet in 2024.Twitter: @alfranyo