FRISCO, Texas – Former California rugby All-American Ieremia Ieremia was selected eighth overall by California Legion in the 2025 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft on Thursday afternoon, while two-time captain and two-time All-American standout Charlie Walsh was taken 11th overall by the Seattle Seawolves.
 
Ieremia, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound backrower spent one season with Cal rugby after playing as a defensive end with Cal football from 2021-23. He made 12 starts as Cal's No. 8 and contributed three tries. 
 
Ieremia graduated from Cal this past May with a degree in molecular and cell biology, with an emphasis on neurobiology.
 
 
Walsh, a 5-foot-11, 260-pound prop, is a part of an elite list of former Golden Bear captains who served in the role for multiple years. Under his leadership in 2025, the squad captured the 2025 D1A National Collegiate Championship title and a 15-1 overall record in XVs action, in addition to an undefeated record in its 2024 fall sevens campaign. 
 
Walsh capped off his collegiate career with 45 starts in the Bears' front row, including 13 this past season – the most of any Cal player. He was a force in the Bears' tight five, primarily featuring as the tighthead prop.
 
Walsh graduated with an undergraduate degree in political science from Cal in 2024 and obtained a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship in 2025.
 
Ieremia and Walsh were the seventh and eighth Cal alumni, respectively, to be chosen in the MLR Collegiate Draft over the last four years.
 
MLR Draft History:
2025       Ieremia Ieremia (No. 8)
               Charlie Walsh (No. 11)
2024       Alex Aguero (No. 8)
               Caleb Tomasin (No. 32)
2023       Max Schumacher (No. 2)
2022       Sam Golla (No.1)
               Seth Purdey (No. 4)
               Jack Manzo (No. 19)
 
 
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