If you've declared for the Major League Rugby collegiate draft, you're not alone.

Over 400 rugby players declared for the draft, and with 24 draft opportunities ... you do the math, it's a crowded place.

With a little help from Mike Tolkin (formerly of RUNY) and Tim Brown (currently of DC Old Glory), and our 1st Episode of the MLR Draft Show, we give you a few things to think about as the draft approaches.

(See the entire show here:)

You Won't Get Drafted

Well ... chances are you won't. With about 420 players declared for the draft, less then 6% of the players will actually get drafted by a Major League Rugby club. Now we had a look at who are some of the best prospects, and we came up with over 60 names, so what that means is, even if you are one of the top prospects, you're more likely to not be drafted than to get the nod.

If You're A Flyhalf, Your Chances Drop Precipitously

Every team says it wants to develop American-developed #10s, but no one actually does it. The risk of getting your playmaker, probably your primary goalkicker, and your field general to be right out of college is very high. That's not to say teams won't sign and develop young flyhalves; it's just that they won't waste a draft spot on that position, and instead will take a long-term approach.

But If You're Tight Five ...

The physical demands of being in the front row, and the rarity of tall, physical locks who are athletic, is such that those positions will be looked for first. 

Not Being Drafted Isn't The End Of It

In fact, not being drafted can be a better move for you. If you're drafted, you can only negotiate with the team that drafted you. If that team is 2,000 miles away, guess what, you're moving if you want to play pro. The good news is that if they sign you, they have to pay you a minimum (which, we believe, is $8,000 for the season), whereas an undrafted free agent doesn't have that minimum. But, an undrafted free agent has some freedom. If you've set up a job and a good situation in a specific city, you can then accept a lower rate with your local MLR club, prove your worth, and make them pay later on. 

That can be a plus for the MLR club, too. They know you're not going anywhere and that your life is stable so they can count on you and work with you.

And if you're open to moving anywhere, that can be a plus, too. You can tell teams that. Tell them your bag is packed and you're ready to do whatever it takes. That can get you in the door.

Being Drafted Isn't a Locked Door

After you're drafted teams have two weeks to sign you. After that, each team takes turns having two weeks to sign you. So you're not locked into a team for a year. This is useful for players who a) want to sign with a specific team in a specific town and b) it shows that the MLR Draft is mostly about stopping a free-for-all among teams trying to sign the top prospects.

Character Counts

Teams are not only looking for great players who are great athletes, they want good teammates, and players who fans will love. They will have been talking to your coaches. They will be watching film and doing everything they can to judge your work rate, your resilience, and your unselfishness. 

And be ready—if you join a Major League Rugby team, they will be expecting you to get better at the things you're not good at, and quickly.

How Has Your Behavior Been Of Late?

If you're on social media doing a lot of dumb stuff, or stuff that would not shed a good light on a MLR team's image, be aware, teams are watching. It only takes one stupid tweet or one Instagram story where you're partying a bit too hard for word to get around. 

Don't Turn Your Nose Up At Amateur Club Rugby

It's not pro or go. Rugby is a player's sport, and athletes play throughout their adult life because it's fun. The level of club rugby is good, and in some places excellent. There are internationals who prefer to play for their club rather than play pro. There are older players who can help you develop. You're unlikely, even if you're drafted, to waltz into a starting spot with an MLR team. But especially if you're not drafted, you're better off finding a city and a working situation you love, and playing with the best club in town. Then be honest with them. Tell them you want a pro contract, and you hope they'll help you get there. But be a good club member, don't be a prima donna (coaches talk!), and go out and be the best player, teammate, and example on the team.

Remember, There Are Rules

There are several players who declared for the MLR draft who aren't eligible. There are players who went to college overseas, players who didn't go to college, players who attended only two years and are under 21, and players who have been out of college a while. We have to admit that we're not fully on top of all of the rules—can a player who graduated a year ago be drafted? We're not sure. But certainly some players are using the draft to just get their name out there. 

There are also some unwritten rules, with the key one being about foreign players. MLR teams would love to sign foreign players coming out of US colleges, but there's always a visa question. Unless you can find a way to stay in the USA on a student visa (like you're in grad school), you are going to have to get a new visa situation sorted out. That's a headache for many, and MLR teams might well be reluctant to sign a player whose visa situation isn't locked down. Of course, if they really want a guy, they can hire a lawyer and get the job done. They'd probably spend more on the lawyer than the player.