Russell Melendez Appeals NCAA, Earns Extra Eligibility and Enters Transfer Portal

Russell Melendez, the Johns Hopkins attackman with a penchant for highlight goals, has received an extra year of eligibility after going through the appeals process with the NCAA. Melendez has entered the transfer portal as a result.

Inside Lacrosse first reported the news on Wednesday.

Melendez exhausted his options to return to Hopkins, Inside Lacrosse was told, hence his choice to enter the portal. A highly productive player when healthy, Melendez produced 37 goals and 16 assists in his best season at Homewood in 2023 — his first season with the Blue Jays after transferring in from Marquette.

But staying on the field has been a challenge for Melendez, who also plays for Team Puerto Rico. He played in seven games with four starts as a true freshman at Marquette before suffering an injury, then he played in just three games (with three starts) in 2022.

He was healthy in 2023 and 2024 after transferring to Johns Hopkins, posting combined totals of 56 goals and 24 assists over two seasons (33 games). He played just seven games in 2025 but was a crucial piece to the Hopkins attack with 14 goals and nine assists — not to mention a .452 shooting percentage.

An honorable mention USILA All-American and first-team All-Big Ten member in 2023, Melendez will be highly sought-after in the transfer portal, even with fall ball having reached its conclusion.