PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 17 Rutgers men's lacrosse is ready to begin the 2021 spring season this weekend, and in advance of that, saw three players recognized by the Big Ten on Wednesday. Returners Adam Charalambides and Kieran Mullins, alongside newcomer Connor Kirst, were named Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch. In the Preseason Coaches Poll, the team was pegged to finish fourth in the Big Ten. 

Kirst is a highly regarded graduate transfer who was named a Preseason All-American by three different publications. In addition to those honors and the Big Ten accolade, Kirst was previously recognized by Inside Lacrosse this preseason as the No. 23 player in the nation (including both men's and women's players). He was the 11th highest ranked men's player on that listing. The Bernardsville, N.J. native joins his home state school this season after playing in 52 games at Villanova over the past four years, where he scored 84 goals and added 42 assists for 126 career points, also collecting 101 ground balls and causing 15 turnovers. He was named an Inside Lacrosse First Team All-American in 2020. Kirst also was tabbed BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year, USILA All-American and Inside Lacrosse Honorable Mention All-American in 2019. As a sophomore, he was recognized as a First Team all-conference selection. 

Mullins was also recognized as a Preseason All-American, an Honorable Mention selection by the USILA. A three-time team captain, after being named a Scholar All-American last season, he decided to put his pursuit of Medical School on hold to return for one more season. In 47 career games, he has scored 99 goals and added 80 assists for 179 points. The Islip, N.Y. native ranks 8th all-time in points and 11th all-time in goals in the Rutgers' record books. An All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2019, he has twice been named all-conference and twice to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List. He is also a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. 

Charalambides is also a three-time captain. Entering his seventh year 'On the Banks', the attackman has scored 105 goals and added 35 assists for 140 points in 37 career games, ranking him 10th all-time in goals at Rutgers. The Georgetown, Ontario native named a Scholar All-American last season while pursuing a graduate degree in Labor Studies and Employment Relations. He is a five-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, two-time Tewaaraton Award Watch List member, and was First Team All-Big Ten and All-ECAC in the last full season (2019) after scoring 47 goals, the third most in a single season in Rutgers history. 

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers men's lacrosse, follow the program and Coach Brecht on Twitter (@RUMLax and @RULaxCoach) and Facebook. Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com. For additional updates, please download the Scarlet Knights App via the app store or play store.