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The University of Utah Athletics
Photo by: University of Utah Athletics
Stines, DiPonio Selected in PLL Draft
4/14/2026 7:43 PM | Lacrosse
Seniors become the first two Utes in program history to be drafted
SALT LAKE CITY – 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 on Tuesday night.
The senior captains become the first two Utah Utes to be selected in the PLL Draft in program history. Stines was the third attackman taken off the board while DiPonio was the fifth defenseman selected. Utah was one of five programs nationally to have multiple players drafted in 2026.
Stines, the 2024 ASUN Offensive Player of the Year and the 2023 ASUN Freshman of the Year, owns the Utah program record for points in a career (230) and ranks second in school history in goals (141) and assists (89). A two-time All-ASUN First Team selection, the Cary, N.C., native sports the two highest point totals in a single season (67 in 2024 and 63 in 2025) and the single-season assists record (40 in 2025). Stines ranks fourth among all active Division I players in career points and goals and seventh in assists.
This season, Stines leads the Utes with 51 points on 32 goals and 19 assists. He ranks 13th nationally in points per game and 14th in goals per game. He ranks in the top five in the ASUN Conference in all offensive statistics.
DiPonio has proven himself to be one of the nation's best defenders. The ASUN Defensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-America selection by Inside Lacrosse, USA Lacrosse and USILA in 2025, DiPonio has been the top position player in ground balls each of the last three seasons. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native owns the Utah program record with 101 caused turnovers, the only Ute to ever eclipse 100, and ranks second in program history with 283 ground balls.
DiPonio ranks second in the nation and leads the ASUN with 2.73 caused turnovers per game this season and ranks 20th nationally with 6.09 ground balls per game. He has also scored once and added five assists.
UP NEXT
The No. 20-ranked Utes will play the last two games of the 2026 regular season at Ute Field. Utah will host Queens at noon on Saturday, April 18, before wrapping the regular season slate against Air Force on Saturday, April 25. Admission will be free for all fans for both games.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHLacrosse | Instagram: @utahlacrosse), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
The senior captains become the first two Utah Utes to be selected in the PLL Draft in program history. Stines was the third attackman taken off the board while DiPonio was the fifth defenseman selected. Utah was one of five programs nationally to have multiple players drafted in 2026.
Stines, the 2024 ASUN Offensive Player of the Year and the 2023 ASUN Freshman of the Year, owns the Utah program record for points in a career (230) and ranks second in school history in goals (141) and assists (89). A two-time All-ASUN First Team selection, the Cary, N.C., native sports the two highest point totals in a single season (67 in 2024 and 63 in 2025) and the single-season assists record (40 in 2025). Stines ranks fourth among all active Division I players in career points and goals and seventh in assists.
Kid from Cary.
— Utah Lacrosse (@UtahLacrosse) April 15, 2026
The moment Ryan Stines became an Archer.#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/jIsO7NF1nd
This season, Stines leads the Utes with 51 points on 32 goals and 19 assists. He ranks 13th nationally in points per game and 14th in goals per game. He ranks in the top five in the ASUN Conference in all offensive statistics.
DiPonio has proven himself to be one of the nation's best defenders. The ASUN Defensive Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-America selection by Inside Lacrosse, USA Lacrosse and USILA in 2025, DiPonio has been the top position player in ground balls each of the last three seasons. The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native owns the Utah program record with 101 caused turnovers, the only Ute to ever eclipse 100, and ranks second in program history with 283 ground balls.
MI ? UT ? NY
— Utah Lacrosse (@UtahLacrosse) April 15, 2026
The moment Nikko was drafted by the 2025 @PremierLacrosse champs??#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/mE9bgdPL24
DiPonio ranks second in the nation and leads the ASUN with 2.73 caused turnovers per game this season and ranks 20th nationally with 6.09 ground balls per game. He has also scored once and added five assists.
UP NEXT
The No. 20-ranked Utes will play the last two games of the 2026 regular season at Ute Field. Utah will host Queens at noon on Saturday, April 18, before wrapping the regular season slate against Air Force on Saturday, April 25. Admission will be free for all fans for both games.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHLacrosse | Instagram: @utahlacrosse), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
Players Mentioned
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/ Lacrosse
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