Duke’s Kenny Maguire Named USA Lacrosse Preseason Specialist of the Year, Anchors Elite Blue Devil Defense
SPARKS, Md. - Duke lacrosse fans, get ready. Kenny Maguire is back-and the spotlight is squarely on him.
The senior standout has been named the USA Lacrosse Division I Preseason Specialist of the Year, adding yet another accolade to his growing list. Already a Preseason First-Team All-American, Maguire enters 2026 as one of the most dominant forces in college lacrosse, particularly on the defensive end.
If you watched Duke last season, you saw the impact Maguire had every time he stepped on the field. He’s not just a short-stick defensive midfielder-he’s the short-stick defensive midfielder.
The 2025 ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and recipient of the Lt. Donald Maclaughlin National Midfielder of the Year award, Maguire is the engine behind the Blue Devils’ rope unit.
His ability to disrupt opposing offenses is second to none, and the numbers back it up: 51 career caused turnovers over three seasons, including a Duke-record 26 last year alone.
That 26-turnover mark didn’t just lead the team-it ranked second in the ACC and led all SSDMs in the country. Maguire’s 1.44 caused turnovers per game is a stat that jumps off the page, especially when you consider the level of competition Duke faces week in and week out. He’s not just a stopper-he’s a game-changer.
But Maguire’s value isn’t limited to the defensive half. He’s shown he can push in transition and contribute offensively, too.
In 2025, he chipped in six goals and four assists, giving Duke a two-way threat that few teams can match. That versatility makes him a nightmare to game plan against-he’s as comfortable stripping the ball as he is burying it.
Consistency? He’s got that, too.
Maguire has played in every game over the past three seasons. He’s not just durable-he’s dependable.
His 51 career caused turnovers place him 10th all-time in Duke history, and his 23 career points (14 goals, nine assists) underscore just how complete his game has become.
Duke, ranked eighth in USA Lacrosse’s preseason poll, will need every ounce of that production this season. The Blue Devils open their 2026 campaign on January 31, hosting Bellarmine at noon on Freeman Field at Koskinen Stadium.
With Maguire leading the charge, Duke’s defense is poised to be one of the most formidable units in the country once again. And if history is any indicator, he won’t just meet expectations-he’ll exceed them.