TD Ierlan Bio
Tristan David “TD” Ierlan is an American professional lacrosse player widely regarded as one of the greatest faceoff specialists in the history of the sport. Born on April 12, 1998, in Victor, New York, Ierlan currently plays for the California Redwoods of the Premier Lacrosse League and the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League. He holds multiple NCAA records in faceoff wins and ground balls, and he also serves as a volunteer assistant lacrosse coach at Syracuse University.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, Ierlan built his reputation across three college programs before turning professional. His combination of technique, strength, and consistency has set him apart from his peers at every level of competition.
Early Life and Background
TD Ierlan was born in Victor, New York, and grew up in a supportive family with his parents, Mike and Karen Ierlan. He has a brother, Chayse, who would later become his teammate with the Redwoods, and a sister, Doyle. His upbringing in a small town near Rochester gave him early access to multi-sport athletics, which helped shape his competitive foundation.
Ierlan attended Victor Senior High School, where he earned four varsity letters across football, wrestling, and lacrosse. On the wrestling mat, he set a school record with 161 wins, demonstrating the hand strength and balance that would later define his lacrosse career. In lacrosse, he won 1,135 faceoffs at an 83 percent rate, collected 661 ground balls, and recorded 50 points over his high school career.
During his final two high school seasons, Ierlan helped lead Victor to state championships in lacrosse. He was named an All-American and New York Player of the Year in both of those championship seasons, establishing himself as one of the top collegiate recruits in the country.
Path to Lacrosse
Ierlan’s path to elite lacrosse began with his dominant high school performances in upstate New York. His faceoff success and wrestling background made him a rare recruit, capable of overpowering opponents while maintaining technical precision. Major college programs quickly identified him as a transformative talent at the specialist position.
He chose to attend the University at Albany, where he could develop within a strong America East conference program. After two seasons with the Great Danes, he transferred to Yale, seeking a new environment and stronger academic alignment. His Ivy League experience sharpened his discipline and provided a national platform to showcase his skills.
When the Ivy League canceled competition in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ierlan used his remaining year of eligibility at the University of Denver. This final collegiate stop allowed him to compete at a high level one more time before transitioning to the professional ranks.
TD Ierlan Career
Early Career at Albany (2017–2018)
During his freshman year at Albany, Ierlan played for the Great Danes and won 70.8 percent of his faceoffs, with 323 total wins and 202 ground balls. Both totals ranked among the best in NCAA history for a first-year player, and he earned America East Rookie of the Year honors along with multiple All-America selections.
In his sophomore season, he set single-season records for faceoff percentage (79.1 percent), faceoff wins (359), and ground balls (254). He was named the America East Defensive Player of the Year, earned All-Conference first team recognition, and was nominated for the Tewaaraton Award as Albany reached the Final Four for the first time in program history.
Yale Breakthrough (2019–2020)
After transferring to Yale, Ierlan produced one of the most remarkable individual seasons in college lacrosse history. He broke his own records with 393 faceoff wins and 293 ground balls during his junior year, while also setting the NCAA record for best faceoff percentage in a single game by going a perfect 26 for 26 against Harvard.
That same season, he set NCAA records for faceoff wins in an NCAA tournament game (31) and ground balls in a game (29) against Georgetown. He was named a First Team All-American, a Tewaaraton Award finalist, and the Ivy League Player of the Year, cementing his place as the top faceoff specialist in the nation.
Denver Finale (2021)
When the Ivy League canceled its 2020 season, Ierlan transferred to Denver for his final year of college eligibility. Playing in nine games for the Pioneers, he provided veteran leadership at the faceoff X and was named an honorable mention All-American, closing out his NCAA career with records that still stand.
TD Ierlan Professional Career
Premier Lacrosse League (2021–Present)
Ierlan was selected first overall in the 2020 Major League Lacrosse draft by the New York Lizards but chose to return to college for one more season. The following year, he was taken fourth overall by Redwoods Lacrosse Club in the Premier Lacrosse League college draft. He quickly became a cornerstone of the Redwoods roster and was named an All-Star as a rookie.
He remains with the Redwoods today, where his brother Chayse also plays. Ierlan’s consistency and ability to win critical faceoffs have made him a foundational piece of the team’s midfield and special teams units.
National Lacrosse League (2022–Present)
Ierlan was selected 30th overall in the 2020 NLL Draft by the Toronto Rock, despite having no prior box lacrosse experience. He made his professional NLL debut during the 2022 season, playing as both a defenseman and a faceoff specialist while adapting to the indoor game’s faster pace and tighter spaces.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Ierlan’s most celebrated records are his NCAA career totals of 1,245 faceoff wins and 867 ground balls, both of which remain all-time benchmarks. He also holds the single-season records for faceoff wins (393) and ground balls (293), along with single-game records in NCAA Tournament competition. In 2023, he represented the United States at the Men’s Lacrosse World Championship in San Diego, where the team won gold.
TD Ierlan Career Wins
Across his NCAA career, TD Ierlan set the all-time record for faceoff wins with 1,245, a mark that reflects his dominance at every collegiate stop. He also established the career record for ground balls with 867, demonstrating his two-way impact on the field.
NCAA Highlights
Ierlan’s most impressive single season came during his junior year at Yale, when he recorded 393 faceoff wins and 293 ground balls. His 31 faceoff wins in an NCAA Tournament game and 29 ground balls in a single contest remain untouched in the college record book. He was a five-time All-American, including two First Team selections.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his college records, Ierlan contributed to two New York State high school championships with Victor and helped Albany reach the NCAA Final Four for the first time in program history. His professional accolades include PLL All-Star recognition as a rookie and a World Lacrosse Championship gold medal with the United States in 2023.
TD Ierlan Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
TD Ierlan is the son of Mike and Karen Ierlan and grew up alongside his brother, Chayse, and his sister, Doyle. His family supported his multi-sport development throughout his childhood in Victor, New York, and his brother Chayse has followed him into professional lacrosse, currently playing alongside him with the Redwoods.
Personal Life
Ierlan maintains close ties to his family and his hometown of Victor, New York. He balances his professional playing career in both the Premier Lacrosse League and the National Lacrosse League with his role as a volunteer assistant lacrosse coach at Syracuse University, where he helps develop the next generation of faceoff specialists.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, TD Ierlan remains a key contributor for the California Redwoods in the Premier Lacrosse League and the Toronto Rock in the National Lacrosse League. His continued excellence at the faceoff X keeps him among the most influential specialists in both leagues, and his veteran presence provides stability for his teammates.
In the PLL, Ierlan is expected to anchor the Redwoods’ midfield rotation and deliver in high-leverage possessions, building on his All-Star rookie campaign. His partnership with the Redwoods’ coaching staff and his on-field chemistry with his brother Chayse remain central to the team’s ambitions.
In the NLL, Ierlan continues to refine his transition from outdoor specialist to box lacrosse contributor. With another full NLL season of experience since his 2022 debut, he is positioned to take on a larger role defensively while maintaining his elite faceoff winning percentage for the Toronto Rock.