Georgetown, led by All-American Quinn Zebrowski, enters the new Division II season ranked No. 1. Losing a heartbreaker to Memphis in the quarterfinals last year in Knoxville, TN and at the death in the 7s national championship game in April, the Hoyas appear hungry and poised for a national title run.
Vermont comes in at No. 2 out of the newly formed North Atlantic Conference, an amalgamation of the old New England Wide and Colonial Coast leagues. The Catamounts, led by Jack Worobel and Eric Rosenmeyer, are fresh off a final four run last year and roster numbers are up.
Despite winning the national title in December and returning some star studded seniors, Indiana University of Pennsylvania comes in at No. 3. The Crimson Hawks bring back four All-Americans in scrumhalf R.J. Beach, fullback Dom Holmes, prop Cameron Taylor and flanker Dylan McAnulty, as well as standout No. 8 Trent Stalling, who scored a crucial try in the national championship game against Memphis, and flyhalf Santino Fischio. They also add Notre Dame College transfer Gavin Prebish to the front row, along with a few intriguing transfer crossover athletes.
.png)
Returning to Division II is longtime blueblood Salisbury. The Sharks won DII national championships in 1996, 1997 and 2013 before spending several years in DI-AA. The return to the DII rekindles a fierce rivalry with Towson, and presents a potential challenger to Georgetown in the Mid-Atlantic.
The Great Midwest will continue to enjoy parity and could very well see its fourth different champion in as many years. With the return of a quarterfinal playoff round, more teams will have a chance to test their mettle.
In the South Division, Northwestern, Loyola and Chicago should all vie for the top spot with unknown newcomer Benedictine looking to also make a statement. In the North, defending champion Northern Iowa has lost a couple of key players from their final four run last year, but have lots of new talent coming in with experience. UW-Whitewater and Marquette look hungry for deep playoff runs, and depth will prove crucial over a long fall season.
This could be the year No. 4 Montana State breaks through the Elite 8, if they can stave off Colorado Mesa in the High Peaks. The Bobcats started preseason camp earlier and have amped up their recruiting efforts.
UNC Wilmington is the favorite in the Southern Conference, and in the Southeast Collegiate Rugby Conference, defending champion Memphis is ranked No. 8. The Tigers lost now-graduated star flyhalf Connor Dempsey to a knee injury in the semifinal last year, giving them a preview of the 2024 season.
The Gateway is up for grabs, with defending champion Saint Louis being challenged by Missouri Science & Technology and Washington University. The Billikens and Bears will face off on Friday Night Lights Sept. 13.
