Texas High School Rugby Athletes College Recruitment Updates
Texas High School Rugby Athletes College Recruitment Updates
Seven high school rugby standouts from Texas have announced their college destinations as well as several opportunities to play overseas.
Seven high school rugby standouts from Texas have announced their college destinations as well as several opportunities to play overseas.
Rayton is joining an already strong Arizona squad. The Wildcats beat Baylor 48-5 in the D1A quarterfinals before falling to defending champion St. Mary's in the semifinals. Rayton was part of The Woodlands High School rugby team's state title run this year. The Highlanders faced off with the Quins Colts out of Dallas for the state title and won in dominant fashion by a final score of 48-15.
A perennial all-star, Maat has been a standout rugby player for the past couple of years. The Texas state MVP forward has committed to a growing Baylor University program that had a breakout year after advancing to the D1A quarterfinals. Although the Bears didn't get past Arizona in that match, BU has a bright future under head coach Mason Hering, who joined the team in the 2015-16 season. With another year of rugby under their belts and the help of Maat, the Bears will be looking to make it even further into the postseason next year.
Holdsworth is heading overseas to join a very strong and deep Sydney University program.
Farmer was a big part and one of the driving forces on the The Woodlands' state championship squad. The Eagle Impact Rugby Academy standout has a lot of skills that usually aren't developed until later years, which is why he was among the 26 international student players invited to join Hawke's Bay Academy's summer program.
Named the best back in Texas last year, Farmer has no plans to stop collecting accolades.
"Kieran Farmer is easily one of the best players I know," said Griffin Maat, who played against Farmer at St. Thomas High School and with him on the Texas select program. "Whenever he is in the game, the flow of it changes drastically. He makes any players around him look like superstars with the way he reads the defense."
The hard-charging loose forward was a massive game-changer in his final season for Katy. He is heading to West Point to play for Army's rugby team.
"Max is a great fit for West Point," Army head coach Matt Sherman said. "He is committed to serving his country and becoming the best leader and man he can be. He's also an outstanding rugby player: physical, aggressive, and athletic with a high work rate for a big guy."
Marsico joins a Penn State team that won the Rugby East and has a large group of talented youngsters.
"Nick is a great player," Penn State head coach James Willocks said. "He's also a great young man. We are excited to see how he can contribute to our backline."
The University of Amsterdam's rugby team, called Ascrum, plays in a national league with university and club teams. One of the oldest clubs in the country, Ascrum is the only university team in the Netherlands with its own clubhouse -- called the "Iron House." A rangy loose forward and lock, Albers is a valuable addition to the program.
If we have left you off or want to be recognized for your college rugby commitments email us at FloRugby@FloSports.tv with the information and a photo and you can be recognized.
Texas High School Commitments
| Alex Rayton | The Woodlands | University of Arizona |
| Griffin Maat | St. Thomas High School | Baylor University |
| Jack Holdsworth | The Woodlands | University of Sydney (Australia) |
| Kieran Farmer | The Woodlands | Hawke's Bay Academy, New Zealand |
| Max Cordua | Katy Barbarians | Army West Point |
| Nick Marsico | Katy Barbarians | Penn State |
| Stijn Albers | The Woodlands | University of Amsterdam |
| ​ | ​ | ​ |
Alex Rayton -- University of Arizona
Rayton is joining an already strong Arizona squad. The Wildcats beat Baylor 48-5 in the D1A quarterfinals before falling to defending champion St. Mary's in the semifinals. Rayton was part of The Woodlands High School rugby team's state title run this year. The Highlanders faced off with the Quins Colts out of Dallas for the state title and won in dominant fashion by a final score of 48-15.
Griffin Maat -- Baylor University
A perennial all-star, Maat has been a standout rugby player for the past couple of years. The Texas state MVP forward has committed to a growing Baylor University program that had a breakout year after advancing to the D1A quarterfinals. Although the Bears didn't get past Arizona in that match, BU has a bright future under head coach Mason Hering, who joined the team in the 2015-16 season. With another year of rugby under their belts and the help of Maat, the Bears will be looking to make it even further into the postseason next year.
Jack Holdsworth -- University of Sydney, Australia
Holdsworth is heading overseas to join a very strong and deep Sydney University program.
Kieran Farmer -- Hawke's Bay Academy, New Zealand
Farmer was a big part and one of the driving forces on the The Woodlands' state championship squad. The Eagle Impact Rugby Academy standout has a lot of skills that usually aren't developed until later years, which is why he was among the 26 international student players invited to join Hawke's Bay Academy's summer program.
Named the best back in Texas last year, Farmer has no plans to stop collecting accolades.
"Kieran Farmer is easily one of the best players I know," said Griffin Maat, who played against Farmer at St. Thomas High School and with him on the Texas select program. "Whenever he is in the game, the flow of it changes drastically. He makes any players around him look like superstars with the way he reads the defense."
Max Cordua -- Army West Point
The hard-charging loose forward was a massive game-changer in his final season for Katy. He is heading to West Point to play for Army's rugby team.
"Max is a great fit for West Point," Army head coach Matt Sherman said. "He is committed to serving his country and becoming the best leader and man he can be. He's also an outstanding rugby player: physical, aggressive, and athletic with a high work rate for a big guy."
Nick Marsico -- Penn State
Marsico joins a Penn State team that won the Rugby East and has a large group of talented youngsters.
"Nick is a great player," Penn State head coach James Willocks said. "He's also a great young man. We are excited to see how he can contribute to our backline."
Stijn Albers -- University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam's rugby team, called Ascrum, plays in a national league with university and club teams. One of the oldest clubs in the country, Ascrum is the only university team in the Netherlands with its own clubhouse -- called the "Iron House." A rangy loose forward and lock, Albers is a valuable addition to the program.
If we have left you off or want to be recognized for your college rugby commitments email us at FloRugby@FloSports.tv with the information and a photo and you can be recognized.