STATE ALUMNI
Notable Rugby Players with Connections to Tennessee
Tommy Seymour
Birthplace: Nashville
Made 55 appearances for the Scottish National Team with 20 tries (the fourth-top try scorer for Scotland). Played in both the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Hanno Dirksen
Hometown: Nashville
Current player for MLR's NOLA Gold Franchise. He played for the USA U17 and U18 national rugby teams as well as the Ospreys in Wales.
Greg Janowick
College: University of Tennessee
Taken with the #18 overall pick in the 2022 MLR Draft by the Utah Warriors. Won the 2021 USA Div. I Collegiate Club Rugby National Championship
Devin Vaughter
Hometown: Murfreesboro
Played for MLR's former franchise, the Glendale Raptors from 2018-2019. He attended Father Ryan High School and Middle Tennessee State University.
Donovan Norphlet
Hometown: Memphis
Plays with the Premier Rugby Sevens USA League for the Headliners. He played collegiate rugby at Life University.
Kaitlyn Broughton
Hometown: Murfreesboro
Was a Collegiate All-American in 7s and 15s from 2015-2017. She received her first cap as a USA Eagle in 2018.
McKenzie Hawkins
Hometown: Maryville
Was a Collegiate All-American, Junior All-American, and High School All-American. She is also a capped Eagle.
Oliver Kane
Hometown: Nashville
Taken with the #21 overall pick in the 2022 MLR Draft by the San Diego Legion. First team All-Conference in the Gold Coast Conference
Ethan Scott
Hometown: Memphis
Taken with the #29 overall pick in the 2021 MLR Collegiate Draft by the Seattle Seawolves. Played collegiate rugby at the University of Memphis.
Griffen Palmer
Residence: Nashville
Winner of NBC's "Songland" in 2020, he relocated to Nashville to pursue his music career. He played rugby for Bowling Green State University in Ohio.
Harley Wheeler
Hometown: Knoxville
Current player for MLR's NOLA Gold franchise with experience playing for Rugby ATL. He was a 1st Team Collegiate All-American in 7s & 15s (2018-2019) and led Life University to three national championships.
Ashley Perry
Hometown: Nashville
Played for the USA Eagles Sevens Team in the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series in 2016-2017. Before her international caps, she helped win a Club 7s national championship for the American Rugby Pro Training Center.
Calvin Gentry
Hometown: Memphis
Taken with the #27 overall pick in the 2021 MLR Collegiate Draft by the Dallas Jackals. He played for Arkansas State, University of Memphis, and the Headliners (Premier Rugby Sevens League).
Peter Tiberio
Residence: Nashville
Played with MLR's Seattle Seawolves from 2018-2020. He was a former College All-American, College 7s Player of the Year, and USA Eagles Sevens Player.