COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Twenty-three professional Terrapins begin their season this weekend in the 2024 Premier Lacrosse League Season. The 23 Terps on rosters are the most by any college program, with 10 on the Maryland Whipsnakes alone.
Last season, hardshells Connor Kelly and Jake Higgins were runner-ups in the PLL Championship game with the Waterdogs.
Two Terps are set to make their professional debuts this season in Ajax Zappitello (Atlas) and Luke Wierman (Outlaws).
Games will be available on ESPN and ESPN+ all season as well as a select number of games available on ABC. This marks the first season the PLL teams have designated host cities.
New York Atlas (2)
Two Terps, who both graduated in 2023 and were key parts of the 2022 National Championship teams, represent New York's team in Brett Makar and John Geppert. Makar, a Yorktown, NY native, turned into one of the top rookies in the 2023 class last season, finishing with an impressive 43 groundballs in 10 games played. Geppert, who joined the club later in the season, amassed four caused turnovers in three games played.
Boston Cannons (3)
Bubba Fairman and Jonathan Donville are both back for Year Three in the PLL with the Cannons. The two will be joined by longtime Whipsnake and former Terp Bryce Young this season. Fairman was named First Team All-Pro last season and has cemented himself as one of the top SSDM's in the game. Donville, who is coming off a season in the NLL, will begin the season on the PUP list. Young is a two-time PLL Champ and will bring veteran experience at close defense to the Cannons.
Denver outlaws (5)
The recently rebranded Denver Outlaws are home to five Terps, led by longtime captain and currently Maryland defensive coordinator Jesse Bernhardt. The team also includes 2022 National Champions Logan Wisnauskas and Alex Smith, longtime pro Nick Grill and recently graduated Luke Wierman. Wisnauskas is a two-time all-star who will lead the Outlaws offensively.
California redwoods (1)
Defensive midfielder Isaiah Davis-Allen is the lone Terp on the Redwoods roster. The team captain is a two-time All-Star and 2019 PLL Champion.
Philadelphia Waterdogs (2)
The 2022 PLL Champions and 2023 runner-ups are home to two Terps on the roster: Jake Higgins and Connor Kelly. Higgins will begin the year on the PUP list. Kelly is a three-time All-Star and two--time Champion. Last season, he totaled 17 points across seven games played.
Maryland Whipsnakes (10)
No team houses more Terps than the Maryland Whipsnakes. Home to a remarkable 10 hardshells, the "WhipTerps" have become a second home once players leave College Park. This year, the former Terps on the roster are Matt Rambo, Mike Chanenchuk, Keegan Khan, Jake Bernhardt, Roman Puglise, Matthew Dunn, Tim Muller, Kyle Bernlohr, Colin Heacock and No. 3 overall draft pick Ajax Zappitello.
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