Former California Golden Bears rugby players Ieremia Ieremia and Charlie Walsh were selected in the 2025 Major League Rugby (MLR) Collegiate Draft on Thursday. Ieremia was chosen eighth overall by California Legion, while Walsh was picked 11th overall by the Seattle Seawolves.
Ieremia played one season with Cal rugby after spending time as a defensive end for Cal football from 2021 to 2023. He started 12 matches as Cal’s No. 8 and scored three tries. Ieremia graduated from Cal in May with a degree in molecular and cell biology, focusing on neurobiology.
Walsh, who served as team captain for two years and was named an All-American twice, led the squad to win the 2025 D1A National Collegiate Championship and achieve a 15-1 record in XVs play. The team also finished undefeated during its fall sevens campaign in 2024. Walsh completed his collegiate career with 45 starts at prop, including a team-high 13 starts this past season.
Walsh earned an undergraduate degree in political science from Cal in 2024 and received a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship in 2025.
“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.”
“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 graduated from Cal this past May with a degree in molecular and cell biology, with an emphasis on neurobiology.”
Ieremia and Walsh are now among eight California alumni selected over four years since MLR began its collegiate draft.
For more updates on California Golden Bears rugby activities or achievements, fans can follow their official social media accounts on X (@CalVarsityRugby), Instagram (@CalVarsityRugby), or Facebook (/CalVarsityRugby).
