National Lacrosse League Drafted Two Penn State Players
Owen Tasse and Alex Ross were both selected by professional teams during the 2026 league draft.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Hockey
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The National Lacrosse League selected two Penn State lacrosse players in its 2026 draft held on September 25. Owen Tasse and Alex Ross were chosen as picks 11 and 51, respectively.
Why it matters
The selections highlight the caliber of talent currently emerging from the Penn State lacrosse program. Under league rules, players may be drafted while still retaining their college eligibility.
Owen Tasse was taken at pick 11 after recording 16 caused turnovers and 27 ground balls last season. Alex Ross was drafted at pick 51 after a junior campaign that saw him record 23 caused turnovers and two goals.
The players
Owen Tasse
He is a Penn State lacrosse player who was selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NLL draft.
Alex Ross
He is a Penn State lacrosse player and consensus All-American who was chosen as the 51st overall pick.
Las Vegas Desert Dogs
This is a professional lacrosse team that competes in the National Lacrosse League.
Calgary Roughnecks
This is a professional lacrosse team based in Alberta that competes in the National Lacrosse League.
The details
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs selected Tasse, while the Calgary Roughnecks picked Ross. Tasse is set to return to Penn State for a fifth season despite his draft status.
Timeline
The NLL draft took place on September 25, 2026.
Owen Tasse will make his debut for Penn State in the spring of 2027.
Season Trajectory
The story follows the precedent set by the National Lacrosse League's college eligibility draft policy, which allows student-athletes to be selected while continuing their collegiate careers. This selection confirms the program as a primary pipeline for professional lacrosse talent.
The draft status ensures that both athletes remain eligible for their upcoming college season in Pennsylvania. Fans can expect to see Tasse back in action in 2027 as he continues his collegiate career.
The takeaway
The draft selections serve as a significant recognition of the developmental success within the Penn State lacrosse program. Student-athletes drafted by professional leagues continue to balance high-level collegiate performance with future professional obligations.
What happens next
Owen Tasse is expected to return to the field for Penn State in the spring of 2027 for his fifth season.
Further reading
For more on collegiate athletic developments, visit Hockey.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Onward State.
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