Tennessee announces 2024 rugby recruiting class

Tennessee will kick off its 2024 fall rugby season on Aug. 24 with an Orange & White scrimmage.

The Vols will open regular-season play, hosting Queens, on Sept. 6.

Tennessee is also scheduled to play two road contests at Thomas More (Sept. 13) and Rio Grande (Sept. 14) before hosting Texas A&M for family weekend on Sept. 21.

The Vols travel to Ohio State on Sept. 28 and Kentucky on Oct. 4.

Tennessee will host Florida (Oct. 11) and Alabama (Oct. 18) before SCRC playoffs on Oct. 26.

All home games will be contested at RecSports Fields at Sutherland except for the Vols’ match against Texas A&M. Tennessee and the Aggies will play at Tennessee Rugby Park.

Tennessee rugby announces 2024 recruiting class

Tennessee rugby finalized its 2024 recruiting class with 22 student-athletes (14 freshmen, eight transfers) for the 2024-2025 academic year. This season marks the 55th of men’s rugby on the campus of the University of Tennessee. Head coach Scott Tungay enters his third season as the Vols’ head coach.

“We are excited to get back on campus and begin training,” Tungay said. “With 50 experienced players returning and a recruiting class ready to contribute, we look forward to a very exciting fall season.”

Tennessee’s incoming class consists of accomplished rugby players at both the high school and collegiate level, as well as some promising crossover athletes. The freshmen class includes 10 players who come from state finalist programs, one player for the NAI 7s champions (Rebels Rugby Academy), and one player from Charlotte Cardinals 15s national championship program. In total, Tennessee’s incoming players are from 14 different states.

Freshmen

Aidan Decker – Wing / Christian Brothers HS / Memphis, Tennessee

Alex Samson – Fullback / St Xavier HS / Cincinnati, Ohio

Brady Calkins – 8 Man / Oliver Ames HS / North Easton, Massachusetts

Charles Seemann – Wing / Jesuit HS + NOLA Gold Academy / New Orleans, Louisiana

Erasmo Cortez – Flanker / Christian Brothers HS / Memphis, Tennessee

Erik Fontanella – Flanker / Pelham Memorial HS / Pelham, New York

Eric McIlrath – Center / Paideia Academy + Knoxville Youth Rugby / Knoxville, Tennessee

Landon Arsenault – Center / Fairfield Ludlowe HS / Fairfield, Connecticut

Mathias Di Si – Flanker / New Trier Township HS / Glencoe, Illinois

Nathan Rawls – Flanker / Marvin Ridge HS + Charlotte Cardinals / Waxhaw, North Carolina

Niko Zaharas – Flanker / Columbine HS + Valor Rugby / Littleton, Colorado

Peter Wilson – Second Row / Christian Brothers HS / Memphis, Tennessee

Ryan Markham – Second Row / Monacan HS + Richmond Strikers Rugby / Richmond, Virginia

Jack Folvig – 8 Man / Riverview HS + Sarasota Surge Rugby / Sarasota, Florida

Transfers

Alex Plese – Pellissippi State CC / Tennessee Rugby Academy / Knoxville, Tennessee

Anthony Reed – 8 Man / St. Ambrose University/Glen Ellyn Rugby / Addison, Illinois

Garrett Salas – Wing / Central Washington University + Nashville RFC / Seattle, Washington

Hudson Schutte – 8 Man / Nazareth University / Shorewood, Minnesota

Jack Oberhofer – Front Row / Syracuse University / Glen Elyn, Illinois

Jude Lenahan – Flanker / UT-Chattanooga + Raptors Rugby / Brentwood, Tennessee

Remington Roderick – Flanker / UNC-Wilmington / Wilmington, North Carolina

Spencer Daves – Flyhalf / Central College + Des Moines RFC / Urbandale, Iowa