The third season of the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is set to begin this weekend, and there are numerous former members of the Rutgers men's lacrosse program to follow at the professional level this summer.  Seven Scarlet Knights alumns participated in team training camps this past week and will be on their team's 25 man rosters ahead of the start of the season this Friday. The group includes Joe Nardella and Connor Kirst (Whipsnakes), Jules Heningburg (Redwoods), Christian Mazzone (Archers), Michael Rexrode and Kyle Pless (Atlas), and Christian Scarpello (Waterdogs). 

Including these players to follow in the professional ranks this summer, 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). This success placing players in the pros has been accelerated recently, with 21 alumni coached at RU by current head coach Brian Brecht to go on to the professional level.

Joe Nardella returns to the Whipsnakes, having won the championship in both seasons with the team. Following the championship, Nardella was awarded the Faceoff Man of The Championship Series and named to the All-Tournament Team. During the season, he won 72 percent of his faceoffs (100-of-138) and collected 65 ground balls, leading the league in each category. While at Rutgers, Nardella was a third Team All-American, a First Team All-B1G selection, the Big Ten Specialist of the Year and a two-time All-BIG EAST Selection. 

Nardella will team with another Rutgers alumn this summer, as Connor Kirst joins the PLL following his graduation from RU this year. Kirst was a First Round Draft Pick (seventh overall) of the Whipsnakes in this year's Collegiate Draft, and turns pro following an All-American season with the Scarlet Knights where he scored 37 goals and had 16 assists to lead the team to the NCAA Tournament.

Two other Scarlet Knights will team up as new members of the Atlas. Michael Rexrode and Kyle Pless each join the team for their first PLL campaign after formerly being teammates with the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse.

Rexrode was one of the top defensemen in the MLL last season, a finalist for the league's Defensive Player of the Year award after posting nine ground balls and four caused turnovers. The PLL season will represent his fourth campaign as a pro. At Rutgers, Rexrode was the Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient, two-time All-American, two time First Team All-Big Ten and was the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Pless tied for the MLL's league lead with 10 caused turnovers and scooped 10 ground balls. He will now look to make his PLL debut after two pro seasons in the MLL. At Rutgers, Pless was an All-American and Second Team-All Big Ten as a senior, posting 59 caused turnovers and 115 ground balls in his career between defense and long-stick midfield.

Heningburg is back with the Redwoods after being unable to compete last season due to COVID-19 protocols. The Maplewood, N.J. native returns this season after racking up 25 goals and 39 points in his all-star debut campaign in 2019. While 'On the Banks', Heningburg was a two-time All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Ten, ranking third all-time at RU in points.

Mazzone made an instant impact in the PLL last season after debuting in pro lacrosse with the MLL's Atlanta Blazer. Mazzone finished with nine goals for the Archers, with a league-best shot percentage of 69 percent, along with nine ground balls and a caused turnover. At Rutgers, Mazzone was an All-American and All-Big Ten selection in 2018, posting 50 goals, 25 assists, 136 ground balls and 37 caused turnovers in his career as a do-it-all midfielder.

Scarpello looks to make his pro lacrosse debut this summer after being picked up by the Waterdogs. Scarpello had an excellent RU career as a short-stick defensive midfielder, playing in 60 career games with 13 goals, 24 assists, 121 ground balls and 42 caused turnovers. Following his RU career, Scarpello played on the international stage as a member of Team England at the World Lacrosse Games.  

The season starts this weekend, with Heningburg's Redwoods playing the inaugural game of the 2021 campaign on Friday night against the Cannons. Games will be broadcast by NBC, NBC Sports Network and Peacock, providing multiple opportunities to watch RU alumns on national television. The season stretches 11 weeks until the Championship on September 19.