MM 4.15: 5 Maryland men’s lacrosse players selected in PLL Draft
This is the Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.
No. 7 Maryland men’s lacrosse has a lot to play for over the next month as it fights for a postseason berth, but the Terps’ talent was showcased Tuesday night. Five players heard their names called in the Premier Lacrosse League Draft — tied with Syracuse for the most selections this year and the program’s highest total since 2022, when it last won the national championship.
Will Schaller and Eric Spanos were third-round picks, taken 17th overall by the Utah Archers and 22nd overall by the Carolina Chaos, respectively. Leo Johnson, Eric Kolar and Braden Erksa went in the final round. Schaller, last season’s All-American first-teamer, saw his draft stock plummet after suffering a season-ending injury against Virginia.
Still, the Terps’ top defenseman over the last two years has proven to be a vital asset. He was part of Maryland’s second-best defense last season, slowing down some of the nation’s top attackers. While his senior campaign was rocky, Schaller’s physicality and quickness will likely translate to the next level.
He links up with two former players from last year’s roster: defender Jackson Canfield and midfielder Byrce Ford. While Spanos missed some time battling a lingering knock, his attacking skillset is unquestionable. The two-time All-Big Ten honoree has imposed his will during his time in College Park, using his 6-foot-5 stature to bully defenders around the cage.