No. 19 Rutgers

2020 Record: 2-4
Pre-COVID Ranking: NR

Rutgers men’s lacrosse is excited for the future and just as enthusiastic about the present. The attitude around the men’s lacrosse program in Piscataway, N.J., is as palpable as it has been in years. 

In the past year, the Scarlet Knights have been through a pandemic-shortened season but also welcomed a number of positive developments both on and off the field. 

News came out in May that former Villanova star Connor Kirst and his brother Colin (Lehigh) intended to transfer to Rutgers. Coach Brian Brecht gladly allowed for one of the best middies in the country to follow in his father’s footsteps and play for the Scarlet Knights. Not to mention his brother, Colin, a goalie like his father.

Months later, the Rutgers men’s and women’s lacrosse teams entered their new home at the Gary and Barbara Rodkin Academic Success Center, a new 80,000-square foot facility that features both locker rooms and a gym for training. 

Brecht spoke just days after stepping into his office for the first time. 

“The set-up here is outstanding. I could not be happier,” Brecht said. “You talk about things and look at things on paper, but when you can walk in and sit back and take it all in, the opportunity that these guys have, it’s unbelievable. There haven’t been a lot of positives in 2020 at Rutgers, but this was one.” 

As much as things feel new for the members of Rutgers lacrosse, with a few notable transfers and a fresh athletic facility, the stars of this roster provide a glimpse at the history of a program that still aims to break into the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2004. 

Among the veterans that have brought Rutgers back to this point is Adam Charalambides, the seventh-year senior that has played with the likes of Scott Bieda, Jules Heningburg and Christian Mazzone. He’s moving up Rutgers' career scoring leaderboard, but he’s more concerned with breaking the proverbial glass ceiling that Rutgers has developed over the past 16 years. 

Charalambides will line up alongside his teammate of five years, Kieran Mullins, who sits one goal shy of 100 for his career. The two talented attackmen form a core that has helped Rutgers make pushes for the NCAA tournament in 2016, 2017 and 2018. 

Now the most experienced players on the roster, they know they have a responsibility to bring the full potential out of this team and set Rutgers up for the future. 

“I just want to have fun with the guys,” Charalambides said. “When the guys are having fun, that’s when you see the most amount of energy. Being the older guy, I just want to bring that balance to the team. If they need more energy or a kick in the butt, I just want to be that positive voice to keep guys going.” 

Rutgers might have its deepest team in years, equipped with a veteran defense and a strong midfield that Brecht expects to push transition, but Charalambides and Mullins may hold the potential of an NCAA tournament on their sticks. 

“You talk about two great leaders and dynamic players on the field,” Brecht said. “Having them on the field and healthy, having their experience and leadership, could be a big part of our success this spring.”