Former California rugby co-captain Alex Aguero was selected eighth overall by the Houston SaberCats in the 2024 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft on Wednesday afternoon. Aguero is the third Golden Bear in as many years to have been chosen in the first round, following Sam Golla's No. 1 overall pick in 2022 and Max Schumacher's No. 2 overall selection in 2023.
 
Recent Cal graduate Caleb Tomasin was also taken in the draft, going eighth in the third round and 32nd overall to RFC Los Angeles.
 
"These are a couple of exceptional young men," Cal head coach Jack Clark said. "Both Alex and Caleb are true competitors. They are outstanding between the lines and equally proficient as superb teammates."
 
Aguero, a 6-foot, 200-pound backrower, was a huge asset to the Bears' first 15 over the last two years, making a combined 24 starts in 2023 and 2024. Aguero was an explosive player who made an impact on both sides of the ball, primarily as a No. 8. In addition to his contributions to the Bears' stout defense, his background as a high school running back on the gridiron and early rugby days as a center gave him a speed and agility that helped him score five tries in his final season at Cal and nine the year prior. He was named to the D1A All America Second Team in 2024.
 
Aguero was also an impressive sevens player who put up 11 tries on the fall 2022 sevens tournament circuit and was named the tournament MVP at the West Coast Collegiate 7's hosted by Cal Poly.
 
Aguero, a Corte Madera native and Redwood High School alumnus, graduated from Cal this past May with a degree in political economy.
 
Tomasin, standing at 5-foot-6 and 175-pounds, is known for his strength and speed on the pitch. He was a versatile player for the Bears, featuring as a scrumhalf and wing in 15-a-side action and playing a large role in the team's sevens seasons. He played in 23 matches and made 15 starts over the last two years. Tomasin contributed six tries this past season and four the year prior, in addition to his 13 tries during the fall 2022 sevens season. Aside from being one of the quickest and strongest on the pitch, outside of sport, Tomasin is a high character individual who played a vital role in the program's leadership.
 
Tomasin is originally from Pismo Beach and attended Arroyo Grande High School. He graduated from Cal this past spring with a degree in political economy. Tomasin's brother, Stephen, is a current U.S. sevens international who is coming off his second appearance at the Summer Olympic Games.
 
Cal has produced a number of top prospects for the MLR Draft over the last three years since its inception. Schumacher, class of 2023, went second overall in last year's draft to the Houston SaberCats and went on to be a recurring member of the team's match-day 23, seeing significant playing minutes during his rookie season. The Houston SaberCats is the current team of Bear alumnus and U.S. international Christian Dyer (2021), and previously had been home to former Bear and Olympian Danny Barrett and Cal All-American Nic Boyer.  
 
Golla - former Bears captain, class of 2022 and current U.S. International – was the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Jackals in 2022. Golla quickly rose to success, being named Rookie of the Year in his debut season and taking on captaincy duties in his second season in the league. His fellow 2022 graduates Seth Purdey and Jack Manzo also entered the draft that same year and were taken as picks No. 4 and No. 19, respectively.
 
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