Nick Crowley’s Rutgers arrival already comes with pro credentials.
The incoming Scarlet Knight was taken by the Halifax Thunderbirds in the first round of the NLL Draft on Thursday night, going 12th overall in the 2026 class. That puts Crowley on a professional indoor path before he even plays a game for Rutgers.
Crowley is heading to Piscataway for his fifth collegiate season after spending the last four years at Princeton. He appeared in 44 games there and built his résumé as a long-stick midfielder, finishing with 32 ground balls, 19 caused turnovers and one assist.
Inside Lacrosse ranked Crowley as the No. 19 Impact Transfer for 2027, and the publication also labeled Rutgers’ incoming transfer group the top portal class in the country. Crowley plans to pursue a Master’s Degree at RU in Financial Analysis.
At 6-1 and 210 pounds, the Peterborough, Ontario native brings a box lacrosse background to the Scarlet Knights. He has played for his hometown Peterborough Lakers in Major Series Lacrosse and was viewed as one of the top players in Junior A lacrosse.
"Crowley is another hard-nosed defender out of Peterborough, Ontario who checks all the boxes of a modern NLL defender," profiled Pat Gregoire of 'On the Clock Lax'. "Combining grit, high-end lacrosse IQ and the ability to push the pace in transition, Crowley brings a well-rounded skill set that projects well to the professional game. While he won't be available for the 2026-27 NLL season, his long-term upside is significant enough that general managers should have no hesitation investing in his future."
Rutgers has had several players reach the NLL recently. Last season, Adam Charalambides played for the Vancouver Warriors, Connor Kirst suited up for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs and Matthew Paolatto played with the Colorado Mammoth. Joe Nardella and Dante Kulas both appeared for the Oshawa Firewolves, while Brian Cameron saw time with the Philadelphia Wings.
Crowley’s selection adds another name to a Rutgers pipeline that has become a steady producer of pro talent. The Scarlet Knights now have 48 alumni all-time across Major League Lacrosse, the Premier Lacrosse League and the National Lacrosse League. Of those, 36 were coached at Rutgers by current head coach Brian Brecht before moving on to the professional level.
In Other News...
Rutgers Is Rolling And A Few Scarlet Knights Are Making A Case
Rutgers wasted no time setting the tone against Howard, racing out to a 41-7 halftime lead while scoring on all seven of its opening drives. The start was the kind of clean, efficient burst that can make a late-season tuneup feel like a statement, and several Scarlet Knights turned it into a showcase for their own momentum.
Antwan Raymond kept the offense moving and hit 2,000 career rushing yards while scoring three first-half touchdowns, while Dylan Lonergan opened the game by completing every pass on the first drive. On the other side of the ball, Bradlee Jones made his presence felt with two interceptions, including the first pick of his career, giving Rutgers a few more reasons to like how the night unfolded. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Finally Broke Through Before A Much Tougher Test Awaits
Rutgers finally got the kind of afternoon it needed, rolling past Howard for its first win of the season in a 58-7 rout that doubled as Greg Schianos 100th victory as head coach. The Scarlet Knights piled up 534 yards of offense, with Dylan Lonergan steering the attack and Antwan Raymond helping set the tone on the ground, while the defense turned in the sort of disruptive showing that can steady a locker room after an uneven start.
The challenge now gets a lot sharper. Indiana comes to town next as the No. 5 team in the country for Rutgers homecoming game, a matchup that will tell a lot more about where the Scarlet Knights really stand after the breakthrough against Howard. The defenses sacks, tackles for loss, interceptions and fumble recovery were all encouraging signs, but keeping that momentum against a far tougher opponent is another matter entirely. [Read more 🡒]
Rutgers Has Two Playmakers Charging Toward Program History
A milestone day against Howard gave Rutgers a clear reminder of how much firepower it has developed in the backfield and on the perimeter. Running back Antwan Raymond and wide receiver KJ Duff each pushed past major career benchmarks, a sign that both players have already carved out prominent places in the program record book while continuing to climb higher as the season moves along.
Raymond now sits 13th all-time in career rushing yards and ninth in rushing touchdowns for Rutgers, while Duff is ninth in receiving yards and 10th in receiving touchdowns. With both players already past 2,000 yards in their respective categories, the bigger storyline is what comes next as they keep stacking production and move within striking distance of some of the schools top marks. [Read more 🡒]