MLR 2026 College Draft Preview

The seventh edition of Major League Rugby’s college draft takes place on Thursday. It will be the shortest to date, with only five remaining teams participating and 14 selections overall. According to the league’s website, 86 players have put their name forward for consideration.

While MLR has yet to confirm its 2027 structure, only five teams remain following the conclusion of Anthem’s funding agreement with World Rugby. Smaller rosters in the shortened 2026 campaign afforded few opportunities for developing players. As such players who might be considered long-term projects are unlikely to be selected in the draft, though they could be later signed as free agents.

 

FORMAT

As in previous years, three rounds will take place but notably only four teams will get to choose in the first round. New England’s top pick was forfeited to Anthem due to a competition sanction, but with Anthem now reaching the end of the line, the selection has now been wiped off the board completely.

ROUND 1		ROUND 2		ROUND 3
1		5		10
2		6		11
3		7		12
4		8		13
		9		14

 

ELIGIBILITY CHANGES

Canadian players remain eligible to apply but have largely skipped the process this year. This is due to a re-classification of those players as import-equivalent in MLR, a change brought in for the 2026 season. As a result only two Canada-eligible nominees are among the pool, and one of them is dual-eligible.

Also notable is the revised MLR ‘pathway’ designation, that now affords domestic status to college players approaching US eligibility. Where in the past such players would have been avoided, the change in policy means that the vast majority of candidates would be considered domestic for the 2027 campaign, even if they don’t reach the 5-year World Rugby registration requirements until 2028.

 

THE PROSPECTS

 

FRONT ROW

Only a small number of front rowers look ready to compete at the professional level. Lindenwood loosehead Asher Webb, a former USA u20 rep, could well be the only prop selected. George Beattie, brother of former draftee Patrick Beattie, appears the most likely candidate on the tighthead side – but odds are none make the grade at No3.

At hooker the standout on paper is LA-born and New Zealand-raised Hayden McKay. The Mount St. Mary’s star has already played for USA at u20 and u23 level, but his small stature will give pause for thought. McKay could also be looked at as a flanker, and has even played in the midfield at college level. SMC Gaels All-American Nate Deegan has a fair shot at selection, with Penn State’s Adam Bilbo an outside bet.

 

SECOND ROW

Locks are again a bit of a question mark. While there are several hard-working types, most fall short of the size needed at the pro level. Ex-Wabash tight end Sam Ridgeway certainly fits the bill physically but is inexperienced and will surely require seasoning at the senior club level before being considered.

St. Bonaventure’s Tyler White could be of interest, along with late submission Liam McGargill of Thomas More. Both stand around 6’5″ (1.96m) but will need to add ballast. Lindenwood’s David Scanlon is only a junior so is likely to be one for next year’s draft. Teammate Neil Milczarek translates more as a blindside flanker at pro level.

 

BACK ROW

Logan Ballinger is a name certain to be among the top selections. The Life openside flanker is renowned for his sterling defensive work, and added USA u23 selection to his long list of credentials this past year.

On the blindside, ex-Brown defensive end Owen Clarke looks a good bet to be picked by New England at No5 overall – if he isn’t snapped up earlier. The 22-year-old is a dynamic ball carrier, a punishing tackler, and a useful lineout option. He was a dual-sport star as a teenager, also earning USA u20 honors before focusing on football.

Aaron van Dyk is the consensus best prospect at No8, but the South African is a third-year player so like Scanlon is one to keep an eye on for the 2027 draft. Australian blindside or No8 Fraser Leslie, an All-American at Walsh, is in the same boat.

 

HALFBACKS

American halfbacks of genuine quality are exceedingly rare. Case in point: Sebastiano Villani is the only scrumhalf selected in previous MLR drafts to have started a regular season game, which he accomplished once in 2023. Most of those picked either weren’t signed at all or managed a few minutes as a reserve.

Enter Cal Berkeley star Solomon Williams. The 22-year-old’s resume is arguably the most impressive of any player to have ever entered the draft – a USA international from u18 through to u23 level, three-time All-American, and the 2026 Rudy Scholz winner as the best player in college rugby. Williams is a nailed-on first round selection and likely front-runner for top choice overall.

Golden Bears teammate Cormac Saint has represented USA u20 and was longlisted for Canada’s senior men’s team in 2025, but remains eligible to represent either nation. Lindenwood pair Jeremy Zwick and Jack McAllister and Life’s Uruguayan playmaker Bautista Araujo are also in the mix at scrumhalf.

The flyhalf options are mostly overseas products, none of whom appear to be can’t-miss prospects. St. Bonaventure’s All-American Koen Webb is likely at the top of the list, but there’s a fair chance none of the No10 options have their name called.

 

MIDFIELD

While the above-mentioned Williams might have a slight edge in terms of accolades, perhaps the most MLR-ready player available is Cal Poly midfielder Coby Baker. He is a two-time Scholz nominee and toured South Africa with the USA u23s last year. The 23-year-old has the size to compete at test level and is also a useful kicker. He should see plenty of game time in 2027.

Another interesting candidate who appears to be floating under the radar is Belmont Abbey’s Oli Fussell. Raised in Bath, England, he offers size and smart running lines to go with offloading skill. The 22-year-old is potentially US-eligible some time in 2027.

Scholz nominee Evan Corbett is a strong-running South African at Mount St. Mary’s. Wheeling’s Zimbabwean star Alex Nyamunda has received plaudits from the press, but has another year to go in school. Penn State’s Lochie Treister has decent size and utility value.

 

OUTSIDE BACKS

Duke’s River Hanson has been getting some attention as one of the elite athletes up for grabs. He was a Division 1 football player before switching focus to rugby. While declared as a center, it’s likely he would be considered more of a winger initially. His relative inexperience probably marks him as a 2nd- or 3rd-round choice.

The best pure winger available is likely Thomas Wells-Richards. Another specimen at 6’5″ (1.95m) and 225lbs (103kg), the 22-year-old spent recent months playing in Australia. The ‘problem’ is he’s Canadian, so will likely be overlooked on account of eligibility.

At fullback there are two compelling candidates. Mario Storti is the younger brother of senior Eagles cap Erich Storti, and is himself a three-time All-American at SMC. Life’s Nahuel Wingord is New York-born but of Argentine stock, and has the type of size that pro scouts want to win the aerial contest. Expect both to have their names called out.

 

WHO GOES FIRST?

Williams is the hot favorite given his accolades and specialist position, but does he want to leave California? If the East Coast isn’t palatable, he could go as low as No3. That would leave Ballinger and Baker as the most likely alternatives for top spot. Old Glory could look to replace the newly-departed Aidan King with the former, but the latter is also a high-quality talent at a position where the Eagles are not blessed with depth.

 

HOW TO WATCH

The 2026 College Draft can be watched on Major League Rugby’s YouTube channel starting at 6pm Eastern time (3pm Pacific) on Thursday, August 27.