Connor Kirst Drafted by PLL's Whipsnakes
Apr 26 | Men's Lacrosse
Kirst Selected in the 1st Round, Seventh Overall
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's lacrosse graduate student Connor Kirst was drafted into professional lacrosse on Monday night. Kirst was a first round pick in the 2021 Premier Lacrosse League College Draft, as he was selected seventh overall by the defending champion Whipsnakes.
Kirst has excelled in his first season as a Scarlet Knight. The Bernardsville, N.J. native has scored 30 goals and added 15 assists for his home state school, while also grabbing 22 ground balls and causing seven turnovers. He ranks in the top-five in the Big Ten in goals, assists and points per game.
Kirst will join Rutgers alumn Joe Nardella on the Whipsnakes roster. The Scarlet Knights had four alumni on initial PLL rosters last season. In addition to Nardella, Christian Mazzone (Archers), Jules Heningburg (Redwoods) and Chris Mattes (Atlas) represented RU in the PLL.
Recently, three more Rutgers alumni were picked up by PLL teams this offseason. Michael Rexrode was selected by the Atlas in the PLL Entry Draft while the Atlas also grabbed Kyle Pless from the Waiver Wire. Christian Scarpello was claimed by the Waterdogs from the Player Pool.
Kirst is the second ever Rutgers men's lacrosse player to be a first round draft pick in professional lacrosse. He matches Jules Heningburg (first round, seventh overall pick by the MLL's Florida Launch in 2018) and Keith Cromwell (second round, seventh overall pick by the MLL's Bridgeport in 2001) as the highest ever drafted player out of Rutgers.
Rutgers men's lacrosse has established a strong pipeline to the professional ranks. Rutgers boasts a total of 34 alumni all-time between Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and the National Lacrosse League (NLL)
Kirst has excelled in his first season as a Scarlet Knight. The Bernardsville, N.J. native has scored 30 goals and added 15 assists for his home state school, while also grabbing 22 ground balls and causing seven turnovers. He ranks in the top-five in the Big Ten in goals, assists and points per game.
Kirst will join Rutgers alumn Joe Nardella on the Whipsnakes roster. The Scarlet Knights had four alumni on initial PLL rosters last season. In addition to Nardella, Christian Mazzone (Archers), Jules Heningburg (Redwoods) and Chris Mattes (Atlas) represented RU in the PLL.
Recently, three more Rutgers alumni were picked up by PLL teams this offseason. Michael Rexrode was selected by the Atlas in the PLL Entry Draft while the Atlas also grabbed Kyle Pless from the Waiver Wire. Christian Scarpello was claimed by the Waterdogs from the Player Pool.
Kirst is the second ever Rutgers men's lacrosse player to be a first round draft pick in professional lacrosse. He matches Jules Heningburg (first round, seventh overall pick by the MLL's Florida Launch in 2018) and Keith Cromwell (second round, seventh overall pick by the MLL's Bridgeport in 2001) as the highest ever drafted player out of Rutgers.
Rutgers men's lacrosse has established a strong pipeline to the professional ranks. Rutgers boasts a total of 34 alumni all-time between Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and the National Lacrosse League (NLL)
With the #7 Pick in the 2021 College Draft, the Whipsnakes select Connor Kirst, midfielder from Rutgers. pic.twitter.com/DqSOMIhgOk
— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) April 27, 2021
With the 7th pick in the @PremierLacrosse College Draft:
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) April 27, 2021
The @PLLWhipsnakes select Connor Kirst from @RUmlax. pic.twitter.com/juOGy2aZ1G
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