As the Major League Rugby Draft approaches once again, there is always a quiet moment to recognize the fantastic college rugby programs across the country that have developed athletes with the potential to take the next step into the professional game.

Numerous schools have seen their former players selected in the MLR Draft or signed by MLR teams over the years. From the West Coast to the East Coast, and across both the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) and National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), there continue to be programs making a significant contribution to the MLR talent pool.

But which school can truly claim to be the factory of American rugby talent? Which program has produced the most players to register for and ultimately be selected in the MLR Draft?

Last year's number one overall pick was second row Will Sherman out of UCLA, one of six former Bruins to have been selected in MLR Draft history. Meanwhile, MLR 2026 Rookie of the Year Campbell Robb came through Central Washington University, a program that has produced 11 MLR Draft picks throughout the Draft's history, accounting for 5.30 percent of all selections since its inception in 2020.

Standing at the top of the tree, however, is Lindenwood University.

The Lions have produced 22 MLR Draft picks, accounting for 10.50 percent of all selections. In other words, roughly one in every ten MLR Draft picks has been a former Lion. Pretty impressive if you are into your stats!

It is a statistic that Josh Macy, head coach at Lindenwood, proudly highlighted during the recent episode of Inside MLR. Two of his former athletes, Reece Botha and Emanuel Alberts, helped the Chicago Hounds win the MLR Shield last season. This is a testament to Macy and his staff's ability to create a professional quality environment that develops young American rugby players.

Life University and Saint Mary's College of California are not too far behind.

Life has produced 16 MLR Draft picks, including the inaugural number one overall pick, Conner Mooneyham, in 2020. Meanwhile, former Saint Mary's Gaels make up 12 selections.

The 2024 number one overall pick was former Gael Erich Storti, who, interestingly enough, now gets to sit back and see whether his younger brother, Mario, can follow in his footsteps and make the leap from college rugby into the professional game in this year's Draft.

But when talking about the top rugby schools in the country, it would be remiss not to mention the University of California, Berkeley.

Cal has dominated CRAA's D1A competition in recent years, winning back to back national championships. The program also boasts the best college player in the country, with 2026 captain Solomon Williams recently taking home the Rudy Scholz Award.

Williams is a name on the tip of most people's tongues when thinking about this year's Draft. The three time First Team All American is certainly one of my top prospects and a strong favorite to be selected in the first round.

I am not the only one who thinks so. Even internationally recognized comedian Theo Von has been talking about Williams on his podcast, This Past Weekend.

Williams certainly has the potential to make the jump and continue the long list of Cal alumni who have played in America's men's professional rugby competition, from Jack Iscaro to Christian Dyer, and Max Schumacher to Charlie Walsh.

The credit for all these fantastic young players must ultimately go to the college programs themselves who have helped their development.

I have seen the standard of college rugby on the field grow significantly over the past handful of years, and I am sure those who have been involved in and watched the college game for far longer than I have would agree.

Cal rightfully claimed this year’s D1A CRAA championship back in May against a spirited Navy team, while St. Bonaventure blasted past Queens 55 - 19 to take NCR's D1 title last December. Funnily enough, Bonnies’ national championship winning coaching staff included former MLR Draft pick John Powers; a player who was selected in the inaugural Draft and has played in MLR over the past six years.

So, as we enter the 2026 MLR Draft, it is certainly worth tipping the cap to all the rugby programs across the country that have given their players the opportunity to play this great sport and develop into athletes with the potential to begin professional rugby careers here in America.

Without these programs, the continued development of American domestic talent would not be possible. And, put simply, there would be no MLR Draft.