Two Ohio State men’s lacrosse players are readying for their professional careers.
Midfielder Blake Eiland and defender Cullen Brown were selected in the 2026 Premier Lacrosse League Draft on April 14. Together, they helped the Buckeyes record the NCAA’s lowest goals-against average (7.08) during the 2026 regular season. They have been close friends since arriving at Ohio State, and they ended their tenure as senior captains.
Their close off-field connection may have powered their on-field chemistry, but did they ever get sick of each other? Brown nodded with a laugh.
The two naturally decided to hold a draft party together. They spent the day at Eiland’s dad’s house in Delaware, Ohio. Eiland’s family and both players’ girlfriends were in attendance. Brown, a Maryland native, stayed in touch with family over the phone.
During the second round, Brown got the call: He was selected No. 14 overall by the California Redwoods.
Brown, the 2026 Big Ten Defender of the Year, led all conference players with 22 ground balls and a conference-best 13 caused turnovers in the Buckeyes’ five games of conference play.
He nearly matched his own single-season record from a year ago, causing 31 turnovers in 2026 after creating 34 in 2025. Brown is the first conference defender of the year from Ohio State since Robby Haus in 2016. He finished his Ohio State career as the program’s all-time leader in turnovers caused.
“[Cullen Brown], he’s just gotten better and better,” said Ohio State men’s lacrosse head coach Nick Myers. “… It’s a conference that thrives on defense. That’s really high praise, and that comes from other coaches in the league, but he’s so disruptive in the middle of the field.”
Going pro in lacrosse was always an aspiration for Brown. He grew up with a computer screensaver of him and Myles Jones, the No. 1 pick in the 2016 PLL Draft. Now, Brown will get a chance to potentially play against his childhood lacrosse hero, who played for the New York Atlas in 2025.
Brown will spend his first year in the PLL coached by former Ohio State volunteer coach and men’s lacrosse captain Anthony Kelly, who is entering his second year leading the Redwoods.
“We’re happy that Cullen fell to where he did,” Kelly told ESPNU. “Great opportunity to pick him up. … I think his ability to get the ball up and off the ground and push transition is unmatched.”
After getting his first all-conference nod last season, Brown believes the game has slowed down for him.
“[I’m] seeing plays ahead of time. … I’m kind of being this aggressor as opposed to being on my back heel and seeing things come at me,” Brown said.
Six picks later, the Maryland Whipsnakes took Eiland with the No. 20 overall pick. It’s a dream he’s been chasing since first grade. Eiland, a defensive midfielder, was described as one of the best short-stick players in the country during the PLL draft broadcast.
“One of the best to come out of the state of Ohio with my time here,” Myers said. “You almost feel like he’s playing with an extra pole sometimes, the way he plays.”
Eiland earned the first All-Big Ten nod of his career in 2026, making the second team. He had 17 ground balls in 2026 and was an All-American honorable mention in 2025.
“Coach Myers sent me some clips; the kid can play in transition, too,” said Whipsnakes head coach Jim Sagnitta on ESPNU. “… I think he’s athletic. I think he’s a defender that can press out. He certainly fills a need for us, but I also believe he has the ability to transition from defense to offense for us.”
After getting drafted, Brown and Eiland played in their final regular-season games as Buckeyes, beating rival Michigan in a 9-8 thriller April 17. Garrett Haas scored the game-winning goal with four seconds remaining.
Their playoff aspirations, however, fell short. Losing to the Wolverines eight days later in the first round of the Big Ten tournament ended the Buckeyes’ campaign. Despite a 10-4 record, they did not get selected as one of eight at-large teams in the 18-team NCAA tournament.
Ohio State men’s lacrosse players in the Premier Lacrosse League
Besides Brown and Eiland, here are the Ohio State men’s lacrosse players listed on PLL training camp rosters as of April 28.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State’s Cullen Brown, Blake Eiland reflect on journey to PLL
Reporting by Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
