The Dallas Jackals signed Eric Naposki-Abdalah for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. He was drafted #1 overall by the Jackals in the 2021 MLR Collegiate Draft. The 22-year-old wing/fullback (23 in April) is 6’0″ and 190 lbs.
Eric is from Monroe, Connecticut, and attended Masuk High School, graduating in 2017. He played soccer and rugby in high school and was named to the USA Boy’s High School All-Americans.
He then went to UCLA and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 2021. He won numerous collegiate rugby honors as a 4-year starter in both 7s and 15s for UCLA, including the Pac 12 All-Conference Team, being invited to multiple Collegiate All-American 15s camps, and was on the Collegiate All-American 7s team.
In 2019 Eric was selected for the USA Falcon’s 7s tour of Uruguay and Chile. He played for the Ramblin Jesters 7s several times, including Rugby Town, Dubai 7s, and the UK Super Series Championship. He also played for Old Blue Rugby 7s, most recently at the USA Club 7s 2021 Nationals.
Eric was a starter for the World Tens Series for the Rhinos in Bermuda in 2020 and was named to the World Tens Series Dream Team. He also was a starter on the LA Giltinis Academy and for Rugby New York’s U23s side. He also played for the Hartford Harpooners.
Recently, Eric was selected for the USA Men’s Select XVs side in America’s Pacific Challenge in Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Outside rugby, Naposki likes to spend time with his friends and family and play all sports recreationally. He has 3 younger sisters and 3 dogs and says he loves the beach, warm weather, traveling, and experiencing new things!
Jackals GM Elaine Vassie said, “Eric brings electric movement and really rounded knowledge of the game. Eric’s ability to express himself in creating and manipulating on-field combined with his finishing ability make him a great fit for the high tempo entertaining rugby that will become synonymous with Dallas Jackals.”
Welcome to the Pack Eric!
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Round 1, #1
Originally from Monroe, CT, Eric, 22 years old, attended UCLA earning an Economics degree. Prior to playing in college, he was named High School All-American. Eric was selected for the USA Falcon’s 7s Uruguay and Chile tours and attended several USA 7’s World Series HP camps. Eric was a 4 year starter in 7s and 15s at UCLA and was named to the Pac-12 All-Conference team. He was invited multiple times to Collegiate All-American 15s camp and was on the Collegiate All-American 7s 1st Team.
During his college years, he also was selected and competed for Ramblin Jesters 7s several times including Rugby Town and the UK Super Series Championship. Eric also played for Old Blue Rugby 7s.
Eric went on to be a starter for the World Tens Series’ Rhinos and a part of the World Tens Series Dream Team ultimately joining and starting on the MLR’s LA Academy side.
Outside rugby, Eric likes to spend time with his friends and family and play all sports recreationally. He has 3 younger sisters and 3 dogs. He says he loves the beach, warm weather, traveling, and experiencing new things!
Welcome to the Pack Eric!
Other Articles
DJCoil Rugby articles by Doug Coil are also available on Facebook. Other Social Media sites to follow or subscribe to include Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for interviews.
