Michael Grace selected No. 22 overall by New York Atlas in PLL Draft
Syracuse defender Michael Grace became SU's third player selected in the 2025 PLL Draft when he was picked No. 22 overall by the New York Atlas. Jacob Halsema | Staff Photographer
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Syracuse defender Michael Grace was selected No. 22 in the 2025 Premier Lacrosse League Draft Tuesday by the New York Atlas.
Grace transferred to the Orange in 2025 after playing four years at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Grace has slotted into the starting defensive lineup and appeared as a long stick midfielder, recording 12 caused turnovers and 47 ground balls.
According to Lacrosse Reference, Grace is in the 98th percentile in ground ball win percentage and caused turnovers this season. He’s also in the 99th percentile for defensive expected goals against per game, a metric that evaluates a defender’s impact on preventing goals.
While at RIT, Grace was recruited as an attack but transitioned to defense, winning two Division III national championships in 2021 and 2022. He also earned the USILA William C. Stiles Memorial Outstanding Defenseman Award in 2024, honoring the best D-III defender.
The Hamilton, Ontario, native finished his four years with the Tigers with 217 ground balls and 77 turnovers. He entered the transfer portal with an extra year of eligibility afforded to D-III players due to COVID-19, and said he “subconsciously” knew he wanted to go to Syracuse.
He’s plugged in seamlessly for SU in 2025, filling the void left by the graduating Saam Olexo. Now, Grace will move onto the professional level along with midfielder Sam English, who was picked No. 3 overall by the California Redwoods, and attack Owen Hiltz, who was selected No. 8 by the Carolina Chaos, once the Orange’s season concludes.
