Austin Gilgronis signed Cameron Dodson for the Major League Rugby season. The 23-year-old lock (24 in August) is 6’7” and 245lbs.
Cam was thought to have been the number one projected collegiate player in the MLR Collegiate Draft. Instead, only Old Glory DC drafted a Collegiate All-American from Scotland in the second round. Cam went undrafted, but not unnoticed and the Gilgronis will fulfill a critical need by his signing.
Cam is from Stafford, United Kingdom. He attended Wolgarston High School, graduated in 1993, and played rugby and soccer. He local club Stafford R.U.F.C when I was a child and then moved to Stoke on Trent R.U.F.C., which is a higher-ranked regional team when I was around 16.
He attended Grand Canyon University from 2017-2020 earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, Management, and Marketing. He also was a key contributor to the D1A rugby program.
Austin Gilgronis Release
AUSTIN, TX (July 2, 2020) Austin Gilgronis is excited to announce the signing of Cameron Dodson, a 6’7” 245lbs lock from Grand Canyon University. Dodson is considered one of the top collegiate prospects and possesses a rare combination of size, speed, and skill that you don’t often see coming out of college rugby.
“Austin was the top team on my list before I declared for the draft,” says Dodson. “I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and the new coaching staff.”
New AG’s head coach Sam Harris saw a star in Dodson’s tape. “Initially, it was his frame that caught my eye, he is a specimen,” says Harris. “After watching some film, it was evident how powerful and dynamic a ball carrier he is. Cam has a very high ceiling.”
Dodson hails from Staffordshire, UK, and came to Grand Canyon University in 2017 to study business management. Dodson captained GCU for his junior and senior seasons and played a majority of his minutes at No. 8. Dodson’s GCU team played a rigorous D1A schedule; including regional bluebloods University of Arizona and St. Mary’s University.
Dodson made his breakout at Collegiate 7s Nationals, where he was able to display his long-stride and impeccable balance for his 6’7” frame.
The city of Austin and the AG’s culture attracted Dodson to the club. “I’ve heard amazing things about the city of Austin and the culture within the squad,” says Dodson. “From what I know it’s a pretty young, fitness-oriented city and that just sounds like a fit for me.”
Dodson dreams of playing for the USA Eagles and has started the application process to potentially represent the United States in the future.