The Lindenwood University men’s rugby program has a strong freshman class coming in, highlighted by Iowa 7s sensation Deion Mikesell and Union (Tulsa, OKla.) lead Malon Al-Jiboori.
But Head Coach JD Stephenson said the three-dozen players in the freshman class were chosen in part to handle some holes left by graduating players. But, added Stephenson, he is also just looking for good rugby players.
“We take a holistic approach to recruiting with the need for rugby players that have a good base athletic ability,” said Stephenson. “[We’re looking for] raw athletes that are coachable or a smart rugby player that needs more attention in the weight room. Ultimately however, these were individuals that wanted to be Lions and believed in our program and what we are trying to achieve.”
Lindenwood’s program got its start with a large number of players from overseas, but this freshman class of 36 players includes only two players from overseas, and 34 American players from 16 states.
| Lindenwood University Men's Rugby 2015 Freshman Class | ||
| Alec McDonnell | Weldon Spring, Mo. | Hooker |
| Antonio Jablonski | Overland Park, Kan. | Hooker |
| Benjamin Jackson III | Carbondale, Ill. | Prop |
| Bernard Laskowski | Aurora, Ill. | Prop |
| Chance Wenglewski | Tulsa, Okla. | Tighthead Prop |
| Colten Hernandez | Brownsburg, Ind. | Hooker |
| Cristian Rodriguez | Hawaiian Gardens, Calif. | Fullback |
| Deion Mikesell | Des Moines, Iowa | Wing |
| Drayton Aki | Kahuku, Hawaii | Wing |
| Dustin Dowers | Brownsburg, Ind. | Prop |
| Evan Walty | Lakewood, Calif. | Halfback |
| Greg Robertson | Houston, Texas | Wing |
| Jack Desmond | Oak Lawn, Ill. | Halfback |
| Jake Whitehouse | Bixby, Okla. | Fullback |
| Jason Mehringer | St. Louis, Mo. | Wing |
| Joe Stewart | St. Charles, Mo. | Prop |
| Josh Paulsen | Lucas, Texas | Halfback |
| Josh Perry | Kamuela, Hawaii | Five-Eight |
| Josh Quinn | St. Louis, Mo. | Hooker |
| Josiah Tiatia | Pleasant Grove, Utah | Inside Center |
| Keaton Byrd | New Albany, Ind. | Halfback |
| Malik Walker | New Orleans, La. | 2nd Row |
| Malon Al-Jiboori | Tulsa, Okla. | Second-Row |
| Mason Brooks | Eureka, Mo. | Hooker |
| Matthew O'Connell | Nashville, Tenn. | 2nd Row |
| Michael Baska | Kansas City, Mo. | Halfback |
| Nick Theofilatos | Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. | Halfback |
| Patrick McLeroy | Overland Park, Kan. | Halfback |
| Phil Mosele | Northbrook, Ill. | Flanker |
| Ricky Chestnutwood | Adel, Iowa | Wing |
| Sam Chapman | Kansas City, Mo. | Fullback |
| Tadhg Leader | Galway, Ireland | Five-Eight |
| Travis Heer | Huntington Beach, Calif. | Wing |
| Ty Turner | Hong Kong, China | Center |
| Will Vander Ark | Caledonia, Mich. | Hooker |
| Zach Morgan | North Glenn, Colo. | Fullback |
