Hounds loan out highly-rated 2025 first round pick to Anthem RC

The Chicago Hounds have loaned 2025 first round draft pick Elias Garza to another Major League Rugby side for the 2026 season. General Manager Will Magie has explained the Hounds believe the front-rower “has a better opportunity” for game time at Anthem Rugby Carolina.

Garza was taken sixth overall, with Lindenwood University’s Connor Devos the only other prop chosen ahead of the Hounds draftee. Anthem RC took lock William Sherman and hooker Campbell Robb with the first two picks, as the franchise continues to search for its first MLR win.

The loosehead prop was among the standouts during a career with the prestigious rugby program at Life University, entering the MLR College Draft as a graduate player.

Seattle Seawolves took Tiai Vavao from Central Washington University third overall, before Devos was chosen fourth, and then California Legion drafted winger Oscar Treacy. Garza was then picked sixth by the Hounds, but the prop will wear Anthem RC’s colours next season.

After touring with the USA Under-23 team and participating in the Hounds’ Fall Performance Squad earlier in 2025, Garza has been loaned out. Chicago have loaned tighthead prop Alex Henandez to Anthem RC as well.

“Elias has been a fantastic addition to the fall performance squad this offseason and we have seen a great deal of growth in his play as he takes this next step in his promising career,” Magie said in a statement.

“At this stage we feel the most important thing for his development is game time and he has a better opportunity to achieve that with Anthem this upcoming season.

“This is a process and a relationship we have built with Anthem over the last two years with the likes of Dan Hanson and Alex Hernandez gaining valuable time at the MLR level.

“We know he will be looked after by Mark Carney and the Anthem coaching staff and we are excited about bringing him back to Dawg Town in 2027.”

The Hounds have been busy in the off-season, bringing new talent to the Windy City as well, with South African midfielder Tiaan Loots the latest to sign for Chicago. Loots has played more than 50 MLR games to date across stints with the San Diego Legion and Houston SaberCats.

Canadian forward Matt Oworu, MLR veteran Luke White, and Second-Team All-MLR winger Noah Brown have all penned contract extensions with the franchise for 2026. Chicago made the Conference Finals last season, defeated by the New England Free Jacks 21-20 in a thriller.