The 2020 MLR Collegiate Draft[1][2][3][4] was the first of its kind for rugby union in North America.[5] On April 8, 2020, the MLR announced that on June 13, 2020, they will host their first collegiate MLR Draft.[6] All of the participating teams for the 2021 season, except the Toronto Arrows, participated in the draft.[7]

2020 MLR Draft
General information
Date(s)June 12, 2020
Overview
24 total selections in 2 rounds
LeagueMajor League Rugby
First selectionConner Mooneyham, Wing/Center, Dallas Jackals
Most selections (4)Dallas Jackals and Utah Warriors
Fewest selections (2)ATL, Austin, LA, New England, New Orleans, DC, San Diego, Seattle
← Inaugural
2021 →

Format

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Major League Rugby first ever Collegiate Draft was held on June 13, 2020.

The Draft consisted of four rounds and the order of selection was determined by the inverse order of standings from the abbreviated 2020 Season from COVID-19, with expansion teams placed at the head of it. Once selected, teams used a "draft-and-follow" approach and had until one MLR season after the player's collegiate eligibility ended, to reach an agreement with the athlete.

Players must have played U.S. collegiate rugby in the one year preceding the draft (between June 13, 2019 to June 12, 2020); AND Must have completed three years of college OR be at least 21 years of age. These criteria allow for athletes who have completed their Junior year to declare for the Draft while continuing to play in Collegiate competition as long as they remain eligible.

Hosts

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MLR analyst Dan Power and MLR reporter Dani Wexelman were hosts of the Draft, and were joined by Stacy Paetz, sideline reporter for MLR games and host of MLR All-Access.

Player selections

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Rd Pick # MLR team Player Pos. College Division Conference Notes
1 1 Dallas Jackals Conner Mooneyham Wing/Center Life D1-A Mid-South 2019 Collegiate All-American (2nd team)
1 2 New Orleans Gold Brian Nault Prop Central Washington D1-A Independent from LA
1 3 Utah Warriors Derek Ellingson Center/Wing Saint Mary's D1-A California from Houston
1 4 Austin Gilgronis Lui Sitama Center/Utility Back American International D1-A Liberty
1 5 Seattle Seawolves Aaron Matthews Center Saint Mary's D1-A California 2018 Collegiate All-American (2nd team)
2019 Collegiate All-American (2nd team)
2019 Rudy Scholz Award Finalist
2020 Rudy Scholz Award Nominee
1 6 New England Free Jacks Justin Johnson Openside Flanker Life D1-A Mid-South 2019 Collegiate All-American (2nd team)
1 7 Utah Warriors John Powers Wing/Fullback Iona D1-A Liberty
1 8 Rugby ATL Michael Matarazzo Number 8/Lock Notre Dame D1-A Independent 2018 Collegiate All-American (3rd team)
1 9 Dallas Jackals Tommy Clark Flanker/Lock American International D1-A Liberty from New York
2018 Collegiate All-American (2nd team)
2019 Collegiate All-American (3rd team)
2020 Rudy Scholz Award Finalist
1 10 New Orleans Gold Andrew Guerra Flanker Notre Dame College D1-A Rugby East
1 11 Old Glory DC Casey Renaud Lock Kutztown D1-A Rugby East
1 12 San Diego Legion Patrick Madden Fly-Half/Center Cal Poly D1-A California 2020 Rudy Scholz Award Finalist
2 13 Dallas Jackals Levi Van Lanen Center Wisconsin–Whitewater D2 2016 D2 Collegiate All-American 7s (1st team)
2017 D2 Collegiate All-American 7s (1st team)
2018 D2 Collegiate All-American 7s (1st team)
2019 D2 Collegiate All-American 7s (1st team)
2 14 LA Giltinis Watson Filikitonga Center Iona D1-A Liberty
2 15 Utah Warriors Danny Giannascoli Fly-Half/Fullback Loyola Maryland NSCRO Mid-Atlantic from Houston
2019 NSCRO All-American
2020 NSCRO All-American
2 16 Austin Gilgronis Mason Koch Hooker Dartmouth D1-AA Ivy League
2 17 Seattle Seawolves Nicholas Taylor Center/Fly-Half Lindenwood D1-A Mid-South
2 18 New England Free Jacks Spencer Krueger Prop Ohio State D1-A Big 10 2018 Collegiate All-American (3rd team)
2 19 Utah Warriors Elijiah Hayes Prop Iowa Central
2 20 Rugby ATL John Scotti Wing/Center Arkansas State D1-A Mid-South
2 21 Dallas Jackals Bronson Teles Number 8/Lock Arizona D1-A PAC from New York
2019 Collegiate All-American (2nd team)
2020 Rudy Scholz Award Nominee
2 22 LA Giltinis Stephan McLeish Hooker/Flanker Lindenwood D1-A Mid-South 2020 Rudy Scholz Award Nominee
2 23 Old Glory DC Matthew Gordan Lock/Number 8 Mary Washington D1-A Rugby East 2019 Collegiate All-American (1st team)
2 24 San Diego Legion Cole Zarcone Wing Central Washington D1-A Independent 2019 Collegiate All-American 7s (1st team)
2020 Rudy Scholz Award Nominee

[8]

References

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  1. ^ "Questions And Concerns About MLR Draft | Goff Rugby Report".
  2. ^ "2020 MLR Collegiate Draft Summary - Americas Rugby News".
  3. ^ "MLR Draft Picks 2020 - Major League Rugby".
  4. ^ "MLR Draft 2020: What you need to know - Utah Warriors Rugby".
  5. ^ "2020 Major League Rugby Draft Application and Useful Athlete Info | USA Rugby".
  6. ^ "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY TO HOLD FIRST EVER COLLEGIATE DRAFT".
  7. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT ON ARROWS INVOLVEMENT IN THE 2020 MLR COLLEGIATE DRAFT".
  8. ^ "MLR DRAFT PICKS 2020".