The search isn’t over, but it could be getting a little easier.

At this past week's Boys High School All-American winter camp in Casa Grande, AZ, one of the goals for the coaching staff was to address the program's ongoing need for powerful, tall second-row forwards who have rugby knowledge and are athletic.

The combination is difficult to find in part because an athlete like that is desired just about everywhere, especially in basketball and football.

That’s why the USA men’s national team has often had to rely on taller back-rowers (such as Samu Manoa, Scott LaValla, Cam Dolan) to fill in at lock. It’s not every day that you can find a Luke Gross, an Alec Parker, or a Nick Civetta. And even when you do, that player might be taking a football scholarship, as was the case for University of Utah sophomore defensive end Leki Fotu.





This year, the HS All-Americans saw some solid talent at second row at its boys winter camp.

“We are seeing some legit locks in camp,” HS All-American head coach Salty Thompson said.

Among those standouts was Charlie Overton, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound second row from Staples High School in Connecticut. While Staples isn’t a national title contender, the school has produced several accomplished boys and girls players. The 17-year-old is possibly going to grow a little more and certainly will fill out, but Overton showed a lot of command of his size during the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy tour to Ontario over the summer.

Another to 17-year-old to watch going forward is Matt Gelhaus out of Walnut Hills in Cincinnati, Ohio. Like Overton, Gelhaus emerged during the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy's games against Ontario. He is quick off his feet, allowing him to use his size to knock back ball-carriers and control the interior channel. He’s also adept in the lineout.





These are just two examples, but we are starting to see more young locks coming through the system. They are finding ways to play rugby in college or at a higher level, as evidenced by Justin Allen, the 6-10 former HS All-American who has signed with the MLR's Houston Sabercats.

A few more of those and American rugby can build some depth with height.