New USA 7s team Head Coach Mike Friday said earlier that he was intrigued by some athletes not in residence with the team in Chula Vista, Calif., and he showed that Tuesday as Tai Enosa, Pila Taufa, and Perry Baker all received contracts.

Enosa is a former USA U19 player who has been capped at both the 15s and 7s level. He was on contract with the Eagles 7s team, but then left, playing last spring with the SFGG club, winning Man of the Match honors for the club in the Pacific Rugby Premiership final. Taufa has been on the radar for a long time. The Hawaiian has played for development USA teams, and got on the field for the USA team in London, but has not stuck with the program so far.

Baker has carried the burden of the word "potential" for some time. As skinny teenager he helped the Daytona club make the national club 7s championships. Tall and very quick, he has the ability to be effective in the lineout and on the kickoff, and also on the wing. He is the type of player who would catch a restart and run in the try.

“All three have the ability to change a game,” Men’s National Sevens Director Alex Magleby told USA Rugby. “They need to quickly get their fitness thresholds up and get on song with Coach Friday’s plan, but am confident if they put in the work will be competitive for a spot in the first Olympic Qualifiers starting in just over two months’ time.”