University of Utah lacrosse seniors Ryan Stines and Nikko DiPonio were selected ninth and 24th overall by the Utah Archers and New York Atlas, respectively, in the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League College Draft, according to an April 14 announcement.
The selections mark a milestone for the program as Stines and DiPonio are the first two Utah Utes ever chosen in the PLL Draft. Their achievements highlight both individual talent and growing recognition for Utah’s lacrosse program.
Stines was drafted as the third attackman off the board. He is recognized as the 2024 ASUN Offensive Player of the Year and holds multiple school records, including career points (230), second-most goals (141), and assists (89). This season, he leads his team with 51 points on 32 goals and 19 assists. Stines ranks among national leaders at fourth in career points among active Division I players, thirteenth nationally in points per game this season, and top five across all offensive categories within his conference.
DiPonio was selected as the fifth defenseman taken overall. He has been named ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, received Honorable Mention All-America honors from Inside Lacrosse, USA Lacrosse, and USILA in 2025, set a school record with 101 caused turnovers—the only Ute to surpass that mark—and is second all-time at Utah with 283 ground balls. This season he ranks second nationally with an average of 2.73 caused turnovers per game.
The No. 20-ranked Utes will conclude their regular season at home with games against Queens on April 18 and Air Force on April 25 at Ute Field; admission will be free for fans attending these matches.
Fans can follow updates through social media channels or via Utah Athletics’ official mobile app.
