Carlsbad High School graduate Solomon Williams was drafted second overall by the Seattle Seawolves in the Major League Rugby College Draft on Thursday, Aug. 27. Only Logan Ballinger of Life University, taken first by Old Glory DC, was selected ahead of him.

Williams, a 22-year-old scrumhalf, was surrounded by family and friends at his Carlsbad home when the Seawolves called, The Coast News reported. The 5-foot-7, 175-pound playmaker now turns professional after one of the most accomplished college careers in American rugby.

At the University of California, Berkeley, Williams earned First Team All-American honors three times (2024, 2025 and 2026) and won the 2026 Rudy Scholz Award, college rugby's top individual honor. He served as vice-captain and helped the Golden Bears win back-to-back national championships, including a title over Navy in May.

Williams grew up in Carlsbad and started playing rugby at age five. His father, who played club rugby at George Washington University, introduced him to the sport. He developed his skills at Carlsbad Thunder Rugby, a North County youth club, before heading to Berkeley.

"Thunder Rugby — they have done a lot for me and gave me a platform to go and play in college," Williams told The Coast News. "I'm forever grateful for the club and all the players and my boys."

Beyond college, Williams has represented the United States at the U18, U20 and U23 levels, according to Americas Rugby News. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in data science.

Williams told The Coast News he plans to train on Carlsbad's beach before his first professional season, saying the uneven sand builds explosiveness and helps prevent injuries. His long-term goal is to represent the U.S. national team at the Rugby World Cup.

The Seawolves finished the 2026 regular season 6-4, second-best in MLR, before falling in the semifinals. Williams' Cal teammate Cormac Saint also heard his name called Aug. 27, going 10th overall to the New England Free Jacks.

The draft was the seventh in league history. Fourteen players were selected across three rounds by five participating teams. Williams is expected to begin his professional career with Seattle in the 2027 MLR season.