MLR Draft Class of 2020 – Two-year progress report

With a week to go until the third edition of the Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft, we’re taking a look back at how the inaugural class of 2020 has done in the two years since. Some players have made significant progress since our one-year check-in. Others have dropped out completely.

In terms of overall numbers, 24 players were selected in the inaugural draft with another 6 collegiate athletes selected in a supplementary draft. Of the 30 total selections, 20 appeared with MLR teams during the 2022 season. Eight players are currently with different teams than the one that drafted them. Bronson Teles is a unique case as he plays for the team he was drafted by… but spent one year with Houston before ‘returning’ to Dallas.

Here is our latest look back at the Class of 2020. We’ll review the Class of 2021 in days ahead.

 

ROUND 1

#1

Conner Mooneyham
Team: Austin Gilgronis
Selected by: Dallas Jackals
Position: Right Wing
MLR Debut: 2021-03-30 vs Utah
Games Played: 23
Games Started: 21

After a rocket-fueled first season in Austin, Mooneyham’s form cooled somewhat in 2022. He was still a regular starter but didn’t quite have the same impact and missed out on Eagles selection. Off-field distractions may have been an issue and there’s every reason to think his best days are ahead of him.

#2

Brian Nault
Team: NOLA Gold
Selected by: NOLA Gold
Position: Tighthead Prop
MLR Debut: 2021-03-27 vs New York
Games Played: 20
Games Started: 8

One of the biggest improvers from his first year to his second. Nault represented the USA Selects during the off-season and played 13 games this past year including 7 starts. He pushed Eagles cap Dino Waldren all season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Nault jumped ahead in the queue in 2023.

#3

Derek Ellingson
Team: unattached
Selected by: Utah Warriors
Position: Center / Wing
MLR Debut: 2021-04-24 vs Houston
Games Played: 6
Games Started: 4

Injury unfortunately saw Ellingson released during the off-season and he made no appearances in 2022. There is a chance he could still return for Utah if he proves his fitness.

#4

Lui Sitama
Team: Dallas Jackals
Selected by: Austin Gilgronis
Position: Center
MLR Debut: 2021-04-10 vs NOLA
Games Played: 10
Games Started: 6

It’s been a tumultuous start to Sitama’s pro career but his on-field performance certainly took a step up in 2022. He made 6 appearances with 3 starts at Rugby ATL before being traded to Dallas, where he picked up another 3 starts to end the campaign on a high. He should be in the running for a regular starting position in 2023.

#5

Aaron Matthews
Team: NOLA Gold
Selected by: Seattle Seawolves
Position: Center
MLR Debut: 2021-03-20 vs Houston
Games Played: 19
Games Started: 7

Traded to New Orleans in the off-season, Matthews was earmarked for a leading role in the midfield but injuries delayed his impact. Some strong performances in the second half earned two starts and more will be expected of him next season.

#6

Justin Johnson
Team: New England Free Jacks
Selected by: New England Free Jacks
Position: Flanker
MLR Debut: 2021-03-20 vs LA
Games Played: 17
Games Started: 8

After a very impressive rookie campaign Johnson earned a spot on the USA Selects squad. After that, however, he had a frustrating 2022 season with only three appearances and no starts at all. New England’s stacked back row resources didn’t help and Johnson may start to look elsewhere if he doesn’t get more opportunities next season.

#7

John Powers
Team: Rugby New York
Selected by: Utah Warriors
Position: Fullback
MLR Debut: 2021-07-10 vs ATL
Games Played: 4
Games Started: 0

Traded to his home state of New York in the off-season and seemed to enjoy himself though he saw limited game time with the MLR Shield winners. He was on the wrong end of a nasty collision against ATL in February but thankfully returned to action in relatively short order.

#8

Mike Matarazzo
Team: Dallas Jackals
Selected by: Rugby ATL
Position: Blindside Flanker
MLR Debut: 2021-07-18 vs New England
Games Played: 15
Games Started: 14

Arguably the most improved player in MLR from his first year to his second. Matarazzo played just once for ATL but traveled with the USA Selects to Uruguay. Dallas snapped him up and he was an instant success, securing the No6 shirt and acting as vice-captain as the season progressed. If his trajectory continues a call from the Eagles camp seems likely to follow.

#9

Tommy Clark
Team: Seattle Seawolves
Selected by: Dallas Jackals
Position: Flanker
MLR Debut: 2021-04-10 vs Utah
Games Played: 23
Games Started: 4

Continued in much the same role he played in his first year, as a loose forward match day reserve. Filled in at lock on a couple occasions but is most at home on the flank. This will be an important season for his development, one he should be expected to challenge for a starting role.

#10

Andrew Guerra
Team: NOLA Gold
Selected by: NOLA Gold
Position: Openside Flanker
MLR Debut: 2021-03-21 vs DC
Games Played: 12
Games Started: 11

An easy choice as MLR’s top rookie in 2021 and a deserved call-up to the Eagles. Disaster struck against New Zealand in October, however, as he broke his leg and missed the entirety of the 2022 season. The Gold will be hoping he is back to his best in 2023.

#11

Casey Renaud
Team: unattached
Selected by: Old Glory DC
Position: Lock
MLR Debut: 2021-03-21 vs NOLA
Games Played: 9
Games Started: 0

One of two promising players who disappointingly did not return for Old Glory this season, and it’s not entirely clear why. Renaud impressed in his rookie campaign but instead of building on that progress he pursued other employment. Perhaps he can be convinced to return to the pitch?

#12

Patrick Madden
Team: San Diego Legion
Selected by: San Diego Legion
Position: Flyhalf
MLR Debut: 2021-04-24 vs LA
Games Played: 7
Games Started: 1

Another who traveled to Uruguay with the USA Selects but he was oddly shoehorned in at wing instead of his preferred flyhalf spot. He hardly got a look-in with the Legion in 2022 but recently enjoyed a run in the Premier Rugby Sevens.

 

ROUND 2

#13

Levi van Lanen
Team: unattached
Selected by: Dallas Jackals
Position: Center
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0

Initially selected as a center by Dallas, he was left in the rugby wilderness when the Jackals postponed their entry by a year. van Lanen resurfaced with Austin’s academy side and looked to be making the switch to hooker. He has now taken up a job outside of rugby in Wisconsin.

#14

Watson Filikitonga
Team: American Raptors
Selected by: LA Giltinis
Position: Center
MLR Debut: 2021-04-17 vs Houston
Games Played: 2
Games Started: 0

Disappointed not to re-sign with LA in 2022. Filikitonga instead joined up with the American Raptors and he has been there ever since. Could yet make a return to MLR in the future.

#15

Danny Giannascoli
Team: unattached
Selected by: Utah Warriors
Position: Flyhalf
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0

Continues to play for Schuylkill River after abruptly departing Utah in early 2021. He currently works in New Jersey. Talented American flyhalves with strong left boots are not easy to come by and one feels he may yet make his mark in MLR. Perhaps New York will give him a call in the off-season.

#16

Mason Koch
Team: Austin Gilgronis
Selected by: Austin Gilgronis
Position: Hooker
MLR Debut: 2021-03-20 vs Utah
Games Played: 21
Games Started: 3

Has been a bit of a surprise package in his two seasons and he played a dozen games this past year, all but one coming as a reserve. Koch has shown himself to be a capable performer in MLR and he still has plenty of room to grow as a player.

#17

Nick Taylor
Team: unattached
Selected by: Seattle Seawolves
Position: Fullback
MLR Debut: 2021-05-02 vs New York
Games Played: 1
Games Started: 0

Departed Seattle in the off-season and moved to the Austin Blacks club. He took part in some of the AG preseason training and lined up in the midfield for their academy side.

#18

Spencer Krueger
Team: New England Free Jacks
Selected by: New England Free Jacks
Position: Tighthead Prop
MLR Debut: 2021-05-15 vs ATL
Games Played: 9
Games Started: 0

Doubled his output of his first year and looks to be headed in the right direction. Still just 24 years old and has the kind of physique that the higher-ups are looking for.

#19

Elijah Hayes
Team: Utah Warriors
Selected by: Utah Warriors
Position: Tighthead Prop
MLR Debut: 2022-06-04 vs Dallas
Games Played: 1
Games Started: 1

Didn’t see the field in the 2021 season but still made the USA Selects side for the trip to Uruguay. Injury ruled him out of the first part of 2022 and he finally made his pro debut with a start against Dallas in the season finale.

#20

John Scotti
Team: unattached
Selected by: Rugby ATL
Position: Center / Wing
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0

Released by ATL and had a brief spell with the Atlanta Rhinos rugby league side. He is currently working in the real estate industry in the Atlanta area.

#21

Bronson Teles
Team: Dallas Jackals
Selected by: Dallas Jackals
Position: Lock / Blindside Flanker
MLR Debut: 2021-03-27 vs New England
Games Played: 25
Games Started: 13

After being drafted by Dallas he played for Houston during the 2021 season. The Jackals snatched him back in 2022 and Teles was a regular starter at lock, with a couple appearances on the blindside flank. A reliable operator who does a lot of piano moving.

#22

Stephen McLeish
Team: unattached
Selected by: LA Giltinis
Position: Hooker
MLR Debut: n/a
Games Played: 0
Games Started: 0

The youngest player selected in the 2020 draft, McLeish was a Lindenwood standout and played for the USA u20s. Released by NOLA in the off-season and hasn’t resurfaced with another club yet.

#23

Matt Gordon
Team: Old Glory DC
Selected by: Old Glory DC
Position: Lock / Blindside Flanker
MLR Debut: 2022-02-05 vs ATL
Games Played: 2
Games Started: 1

A mystery man in his inaugural campaign when he had no appearances, Gordon finally debuted in the 2022 season opener against ATL. He started the following week against Austin but didn’t make a single match day appearance after that.

#24

Cole Zarcone
Team: Seattle Seawolves
Selected by: San Diego Legion
Position: Wing
MLR Debut: 2021-04-03 vs ATL
Games Played: 9
Games Started: 3

Left San Diego for his home state in the off-season but didn’t get many opportunities with the Seawolves. Three appearances off the bench was it, and he has some work to do if he hopes to crack the lineup in 2023 with Martin Iosefo, Ross Neal, and Lauina Futi all expected to return.

 

SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFT

#8

Christian Dyer
Team: Houston SaberCats
Selected by: Rugby United New York
Position: Outside Center
MLR Debut: 2022-02-05 vs LA
Games Played: 16
Games Started: 16

Initially picked up by New York but never played for them, instead focusing on his Eagles Sevens duty which led to a surprise test call. Joined Houston this year and proved a smash hit, starting all but one game and acting as vice-captain. Plays on the wing for the Eagles but was exclusively an outside center for the SaberCats.

#9

Ryan Rees
Team: Rugby ATL
Selected by: NOLA Gold
Position: Scrumhalf
MLR Debut: 2021-03-27 vs DC
Games Played: 27
Games Started: 13

It was another strong campaign from Rees, who again shared the No9 shirt with Rowan Gouws. Didn’t quite make the Eagles squad for the World Cup Qualifiers but he is only just starting to hit his prime.

#10

Sam Cusano
Team: unattached
Selected by: Old Glory DC
Position: Wing
MLR Debut: 2021-03-21 vs NOLA
Games Played: 10
Games Started: 7

A similar case to Casey Renaud. Showed a lot of potential in 2021 but did not return to DC and didn’t play anywhere in 2022. Currently working in San Francisco.

#11

James Mocke
Team: Utah Warriors
Selected by: Toronto Arrows
Position: Lock
MLR Debut: 2021-03-20 vs Austin
Games Played: 5
Games Started: 0

This season was just about the same as 2021. Wasn’t part of the initial Warriors squad but when injuries and visa problems left the second row stocks depleted Mocke was called back up. He only featured twice, however, and Utah instead borrowed David Beach from DC at the end of the season.

#19

Keanu Andrade
Team: unattached
Selected by: Rugby ATL
Position: Scrumhalf / Center
MLR Debut: 2021-07-17 vs NOLA
Games Played: 1
Games Started: 0

Traded by NOLA to New York during the 2021 campaign but only appeared once. Wasn’t re-signed in the off-season and has fallen off the rugby radar.

#20

D’Montae Noble
Team: LA Giltinis
Selected by: Rugby United New York
Position: Wing
MLR Debut: 2021-03-21 vs NOLA
Games Played: 15
Games Started: 5

Turned heads with some blistering performances with DC in 2021. Signed for the Giltinis in the off-season but made just two appearances off the bench as he turned his focus towards sevens. The decision paid off as Noble made his World Sevens Series debut at Singapore in April.