USA Eagles hopeful goes first overall in 2026 MLR College Draft

With the first pick in the 2026 Major League Rugby College Draft, Old Glory DC have taken hard-working loose forward Logan Ballinger, who was surrounded by Life University teammates when the news was announced on Thursday.

Ballinger is the latest MLR draftee to have come out of the prestigious collegiate rugby program, following in the footsteps of others like Conner Mooneyham, who holds a unique place in history as the competition’s first-ever draft choice.

Old Glory qualified for the playoffs last season as the fourth-season but bowed out of the title race with a 59-22 defeat to eventual champions the Chicago Hounds on June 15. But the addition of Ballinger to the roster in DC is significant, with the flanker boasting an impressive reputation.

MLR included Ballinger in a list of five players to watch ahead of the draft, noting the Life University product is skilful at the breakdown and dreams of playing for the USA Eagles. Ballinger would later say, immediately after being drafted, that he brings “physicality” to the field.

Solomon Williams was the next draft prospect who had their dreams realised, with the Seattle Seawolves selecting the University of California scrum-half second. Williams is a three-time First Team All-American and recently received the top honour in American collegiate rugby.

Williams was unveiled as the Rugy Scholz Award winner after helping Cal take out the national championship. The No. 9 has also played for the USA at age-grade levels, most recently including Under-23 honours.

“Lost for words right now. It’s an unreal experience, and to be picked by Seattle, what a great team with great history,” Williams said on the MLR Draft broadcast on YouTube. “Not only that, my brother lives there so [that’s] another cherry on top. What a blessing and just super excited to get to work.

“I’d like to think I’m a team player and I want to do everything I can to win, I’m a competitor. Anything I can do to help the team and bring whatever aspects of my game to help win a championship, that’s my goal.”

California Legion made the championship game last season, but will look to go one better next time around after falling to the Hounds. The Legion have added centre Coby Baker from California Polytechnic State University with the third pick.

The first front-rower was then taken off the board, with Hayden McKay going to defending MLR champions Chicago with the fourth draft choice. McKay is a hooker out of Mount St. Mary’s, but Hails from Auckland, New Zealand.

There were at least 30 draft prospects entering the draft who had hometowns outside of the USA and Canada, with McKay among them. Four players were from New Zealand, while there were six prospects out of both South Africa and the UK.

In the second round, Owen Clarke was taken by three-time MLR champions the New England Free Jacks. Mario Storti was selected by Old Glory, David Cathcart by Seattle, California selected Aaron van Wyk, and Chicago chose Tyler White.

First 10 picks in 2026 MLR College Draft

1. Logan Ballinger — Old Glory DC
2. Solomon Williams — Seattle Seawolves
3. Coby Baker — California Legion
4. Hayden McKay — Chicago Hounds
5. Owen Clarke — New England Free Jacks
6. Mario Storti — Old Glory DC
7. David Cathcart — Seattle Seawolves
8. Aaron van Wyk — California Legion
9. Tyler White — Chicago Hounds
10. Cormac Saint – New England Free Jacks