2017 WALK ONS ANNOUNCEMENT: ELEVEN NEW WILDCATS ALREADY MAKING IMPACT
Brody Wainwright has already shown well in two preseason matches for the Wildcats.
Sept 29- Arizona Rugby completed their 2018 roster this week, formally welcoming in eleven walk-ons for the upcoming season.
With a long history of welcoming all types to the program, Head Coach Sean Duffy looks to continue this tradition, with these eleven joining the eighteen-player recruiting class to give the program almost 30 new faces this Fall. "Dave Sitton got us started here in being a type of program that draws players of all types, and we're proud to continue that legacy. How they get here may differ, but once they're here, walk ons and recruits are treated the same as they are all Wildcats and they will become brothers" said Duffy. All but one of the players come to the program with high school experience as the sport continues to explode at the youth and high school levels across the United States.
A number of players from the group have already made their presence felt, with Scrumhalf Tanner Davison (Flagstaff, AZ) earning Wildcat of the Week for his efforts in Arizona Third XV's 37-10 victory over Northern Arizona two weeks ago. Center Brody Wainwright (Tucson, AZ) is another backline prospect who has turned heads, making an impact in both the NAU victory and the Arizona Second XV victory over New Mexico. Northern California, long a Rugby hotbed, has sent a trio of players to the Wildcats in the walk ons, with Number Eight/Hooker Bobby McLalan, Flanker Daniel Hagan, and Fullback Jayme Thomas all joining the program after succesful high school careers. Thomas comes to the program after helping national power Jesuit HS to a 2017 national championship, an impressive feat.
"Really excited about this group. I've been impressed already with the workrate of guys like Daniel Hagan and the explosiveness of Jayme Thomas. Tanner Davison was exceptional against NAU, gives us another solid Scrumhalf to develop and we just keep adding to our talent pool. Excited to see what they do over the next few years" said Duffy. Arizona Third XV travels to Flagstaff to take on NAU in the return trip this Saturday, with next week both the Second and Third sides traveling to Phoenix to take on Grand Canyon University.
2017 Walk Ons (click for player bio)