Rugby signs dynamic prospect Jerry McLarnon

The six-foot, 230-pounder comes to Cal Maritime from Boston College High School where he was a multi-sport star.

McLarnon chose rugby as his collegiate sport over multiple offers to play to football. Head Coach Steve Hiatt sees McLarnon as a huge get for the Keelhauler program and a big-time talent.

"Jerry is a dynamic and powerful rugby player who will make an immediate impact on our team," Hiatt said. "He was a multi-sport star in football, wrestling, track and rugby in high school. We are excited to have him pick Cal Maritime Rugby over the football scholarships he was offered."

Choosing rugby over football wasn't the only choice where Cal Maritime came out the winner. It was Cal Maritime's Rugby Program that swayed the Boston native to choose coming to Vallejo, Calif. over staying back east and attending Massachusetts Maritime Academy, with the opportunity to play rugby being the difference in the two maritime schools.

McLarnon mostly played prop at BC High and won multiple state championships in his time with the Eagles.

The Keelhaulers reached the Elite 8 of the National Small College Rugby Organizations National Tournament in 2019 and finished 4th in the NSCRO's National Rankings. It was Cal Maritime's fourth top-five finish in the last seven years, and the 10th time in the past 11 seasons they've finished in the top 15.

Several Keelhaulers and the Cal Maritime coaching staff are leading the Pacific Coast Grizzlies in the NSCRO All-Star Championship again this summer. The Pacific Coast squad won the tournament last year, and you can watch them attempt to defend their title at youtube.com/nscrorugby/live.