Josh Yago’s lacrosse story could be a movie script. 

As a freshman at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Yago tore his ACL before his rookie season had even started. To his surprise, the injury resulted in a medical fifth year at Notre Dame, which led to him being drafted to the Premier Lacrosse League in April, where he plays for the Philadelphia Waterdogs while serving in the Space Force.

Next week, the Denver native will compete in the PLL championship semifinals. 

“He’s been living a dream this entire year,” Roger Yago, his father, said. “It’s the Air Force way, everyone rallying to help each other. Just a really awesome environment from that perspective. I appreciate all of it.”

The academy community rallied to help Yago get the medical fifth year, and then did so again to help Yago continue playing after being selected in the PLL College Draft. Yago is grateful for the opportunity, and attributes his time at the academy to helping him get to where he is. 

“I would have understood if they said no,” Yago said. “I’m taking every day with a grain of salt and a smile on my face because I know someday I won’t be able to play.”

During his four years at the academy, Yago earned numerous awards and honors, including the 2025 ASUN Offensive Player of the Year and became the program’s 17th all-time All-American. 

Yago thought Notre Dame would be his final lacrosse season, but after leading the Fighting Irish to the NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse National Championship, he caught the attention of PLL teams across the country.

“The crazy thing is, it wasn’t going to happen, and then it did happen,” Roger Yago said. “The next thing you know, he is playing lacrosse at Notre Dame, and everyone is wondering how that happened. And then they have this amazing season, go all the way to the championship; that’s a dream for a lot of people.”

Watching his son thrive on the professional stage has been fulfilling for Roger, who coached Yago throughout his youth and high school career. He also gave a young Yago his first stick. 

While some were hesitant about drafting a player with military obligations, others were not, including the Philadelphia Waterdogs, who drafted the Denver native in the third round of the 2026 PLL College Draft. 

Since being drafted, Yago has been training on his own while serving at Peterson Space Force Base and travels on the weekends to competitions. It’s a lot of travel – he just got back from Jamaica with Team USA – but Yago is not one to complain. 

“Peterson was very cooperative and easygoing about it,” Yago said. “Whatever they need me to do, I’m willing to do it.”

After a rocky start to the season, Yago has helped the Waterdogs to a breakout season with the most wins in team history. The team is peaking at the right moment, and so is Yago. 

His story continues Sept. 7 in Salt Lake City in the championship semifinals after receiving a bye. 

“It’s cool to think back to my younger self. I wouldn’t believe me that I was a pro player with a chance to win a championship,” Yago said. “I’m thankful to be drafted to a special team with special games that have made the experience better. No complaints about my rookie year so far.”