PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 2023 Premier Lacrosse season was another successful one for RU alumns. The Scarlet Knights were represented by seven total alumns to see game action this season in the pro ranks.

The 2023 season featured a breakout rookie campaign for all-pro Ethan Rall, an All-Star Game appearance from Colin Kirst, and a title game appearance from Christian Scarpello. Jules Heningburg, Connor Kirst, Adam Charalambides and Michael Rexrode rounded out RU alumns to play in the 2023 season. Kyle Pless signed mid-season with the Archers, but did not see game action, and Joe Nardella, a multiple time former PLL All-Star, did not play in this season while recovering from an injury sustained in the offseason.

Waterdogs: Christian Scarpello
For the second straight year, Scarpello represented RU in the PLL Championship game, although the Waterdogs were unable to defend their title from the year prior. Scarpello, who played in 60 games 'On the Banks' as a short-stick defensive midfielder from 2015-2018, played a key role at that position for the Waterdogs. Scarpello played in nine games, with a career-best 17 ground balls, one caused turnover and one assist.

Whipsnakes: Connor Kirst
An All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2021, Kirst competed in his third seasons with the Whipsnakes in 2023. Originally a seventh overall selection in the First Round by the club, Kirst set or tied career-highs with 25 ground balls, six goals, nine points, and added three caused turnovers.

Redwoods: Jules Heningburg
A two-time All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection at RU, Heningburg completed his fourth season on the field with the Redwoods. Second all-time at Rutgers in points, Heningburg posted 13 points this season on seven goals and six assists this season.

Cannons: Adam Charalambides, Colin Kirst, Ethan Rall
A 2021 All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, Charalambides was activated by the Cannons for the August 18 games against the Atlas. After scoring 149 career goals at RU (second all-time), Charalambides responded with a hat trick. He's played in five games overall for the Cannons in the past two seasons with six total goals and 10 ground balls.

Kirst ascending into a starting goalkeeper role this season for the Cannons, which led to him being named to the All-Star game roster. A two-time All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection at RU, Kirst played in nine games in net for the Cannons this season. Kirst made 113 saves for a 56.0% save percentage and had a 11.0 goals-against-average, along with 20 ground balls. He was one of the Finalists for the league's Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Rall was one of the most notable breakout players of the 2023 PLL season, earning all-pro honors as a rookie. Rall excelled on the field for the Scarlet Knights, where he was a three-time All-American (twice being named to the First Team) and three-time all-Big Ten selection. Despite that, he went undrafted in the 2023 Collegiate Draft, yet signed with the Cannons and immediately sought to validate his place in the league. Rall played in nine games, where he posted 20 caused turnovers and 30 ground balls, along with a goal. He was one of the Finalists for Rookie of the Year.  

Atlas: Michael Rexrode
A two-time All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection at RU, Rexrode had a standout season on defense. The 2018 Medal of Honor and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year set new PLL season-bests with eight caused turnovers and 22 ground balls. He also added the first two goals of his career.
 
Rutgers men's lacrosse has established a strong pipeline to the professional ranks. Rutgers boasts a total of 41 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 29 alumni coached at RU by current head coach Brian Brecht to go on to the professional level. A full listing can be found here.