Nov 5 | General
The “First Class” brings national championship pedigree and All-American experience to the Hilltop ahead of 2028 debut
DALLAS (SMU) – SMU Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Jim Mitchell announced Wednesday the first members of the Mustangs' inaugural signing class, assembling a decorated group of graduate transfers boasting extensive championship experience and national recognition ahead of the program's debut in 2028.
Known as the "First Class," the 13-player group brings a championship pedigree to the Hilltop, combining for seven All-American honors, three conference championships, two national championships and 340 career goals.
The inaugural group includes Ryan Goldstein (Cornell), Max Goldstein (Vermont), Luke Gilmartin (Cornell), Peter Grandolfo (Bucknell), Carson Krammer (Princeton), Nick Lucchesi (Villanova), Jake Melchionni (Villanova), Declan Monahan (Penn), AJ Nikolic (Cornell), Matthew Till (Penn), Matt Tully (Cornell), Colin Vickrey (Princeton), and Tucker Wade (Princeton).
"The First Class is the standard we're establishing for everything we do with SMU Lacrosse," said Mitchell. "We're bringing in proven winners who have won national championships, earned recognition as the best players in the country and understand what it takes to succeed at the highest level. But just as important, these are young men who want to be part of building something special and are embracing the opportunity to establish the foundation and culture of this program."
The group represents four of the nation's premier collegiate lacrosse programs and includes several players who helped lead Cornell to the 2025 NCAA national championship and Princeton to the 2026 national championship. Wade, a first-team All-American, played under Mitchell at Princeton, where the Mustangs' new head coach directed one of the nation's most prolific offenses.
Thursday's announcement marks the first wave of additions to SMU's inaugural roster, with more student-athletes expected to be announced as the Mustangs continue building toward their first season. The program is also poised to add talented high school signees and additional transfers following the NCAA's spring 2027 transfer portal window.
SMU announced the addition of men's lacrosse in October, becoming the first NCAA Division I men's lacrosse program in Texas and the sixth member of the Atlantic Coast Conference men's lacrosse league. The Mustangs will begin competition in spring 2028.
