There is an immense knowledge spectrum when it comes to UCLA sports.

The older generations probably know the most, having the largest sample of data that includes living through Westwood’s athletic prime – the likes of John Wooden, Al Scates, Andy Banachowski and Terry Donahue.

The newer generations know of men’s basketball and gymnastics dominance – with Lonzo Ball and Russell Westbrook taking the world by storm through their electric play and even greater personalities. All of social media saw Katelyn Ohashi’s perfect 10 on floor – an exciting dance and tumbling routine that took the internet by storm.

And if someone just started watching UCLA sports, they may only know Lauren Betts – a leader of a resurging women’s basketball program looking to reclaim its prestige on campus. Or maybe they know of UCLA men’s water polo – a reigning championship squad led by a duo of Olympic brothers.

Yet even the most prolific UCLA aficionados likely do not know about William Sherman.

They are about to.

UCLA rugby may not be one of the school’s 21 varsity NCAA teams, but it’s one of the school’s most successful sports, particularly in the last several years.

The Bruins had two players selected in the 2025 Major League Rugby Draft – with William Sherman going to Anthem Rugby Carolina, based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Joshua Cox staying close to his alma mater with the California Legion.

Sherman – a collegiate All-American – was taken as the first pick of the draft, making UCLA the first school to produce multiple No. 1 overall picks, after former Bruin Eric Naposki’s name was read first in the 2021 MLR Draft.

While Sherman headlined the rugby roster this past season, he is part of something much bigger than himself.

“We have this trailblazer mindset – where it’s we don’t have the resources or the facilities right now that a lot of the other universities have – but we’re still a top-10 team,” Sherman said. “We’re coming out and getting good results and beating teams on our home field, like Oxford last year, and finishing in the top 10 and beating the defending national champions and producing good players.”

Sherman’s love for the sport was passed down from his father, who traveled to Australia with a group of friends as a teenager and saw the sport being played. Although confused at first, he fell in love with rugby and immersed himself in it when he returned home – joining a club and eventually playing in college.

Years later, he became his son’s first coach, teaching Sherman the technique, skills and experience he had picked up along the way.

And family is exactly what has made Sherman dedicate his life to rugby.

“I love the brotherhood that comes with the sport, and I’m sure anyone who plays rugby will tell you that the brotherhood is incredible,” Sherman said. “You feel like it’s a second family, and that’s just a big reason why I love the game so much. … It’s really rewarding in that sense.”

Part of Sherman’s Bruin rugby family includes Cox, his fellow draftee counterpart.

The two came to Westwood together as part of a five-person class brought in to help revitalize the program. After two years of playing together as underclassmen, the duo took the reins of the program, helping lead the team to a 4-4 record in their senior season.

And now, the tandem will play against one another in the MRL.

“I can’t speak highly enough about Josh,” Sherman said. “I lived with him for the last two years. While he might not be the most clean roommate ever, he’s a really good rugby player, and I know he’s going to rip it up next year. I’m just so excited to see how he does. He knows I’ll always be rooting for him, so hopefully we’ll have the chance to play against each other next year.”

Leading the program during Cox and Sherman’s four years was head coach Harry Bennett, who took over at the helm after the MRL duo was recruited to UCLA.

Sherman added that it was a challenge to come to a school where the coach was not the person who recruited him, but that the program worked through the difficulties together, leaning on each other along the way.

“Will’s achievement is a testament not just to his incredible ability as a rugby player, but also his discipline, character and leadership,” Bennett said in a statement. “We are tremendously proud of Will, and to see him join Eric as a No. 1 pick is proof of the culture and standard our program continues to build.”

As the leader of the program, Bennett has always stressed the importance of being successful off the rugby field and growing as a man – something that made Sherman feel like the head honcho was always in his corner.

Part of that personal development and strengthening of mental fortitude meant pushing through the adversity of rugby not being recognized as a varsity sport – and doing everything to change that connotation of the sport in Westwood.

“I hope that what I have done, and the work that me and my friends, teammates and coaches have put in at the school and the program, can be recognized and help push the program closer to getting that varsity status and getting that recognition – that acknowledgement – from the university to help boost it and get the funding, put us on the map,” Sherman said.

While Sherman is eager to make UCLA rugby a varsity sport, he has even greater aspirations.

The former Bruin wants to see rugby take over the youth sports scene, particularly as the 2031 Rugby World Cup – which is hosted by the United States – quickly approaches. Rugby has become increasingly popular over the last few years as more youth pathways are implemented. In 2024, USA Rugby reported that it had gained over 50,000 registrations, and the sport will only become bigger as the MRL expands and gains popularity.

“When they say, ‘Hey, I want to play football. I want to play soccer. I want to play basketball.’ It’s also like, ‘No, I want to play rugby from that young age,’” Sherman said. “Just getting a rugby ball in a little kid’s hands and really buying into that idea. It’s a total brotherhood. You have family for life, anywhere you go. It’s an amazing environment to be in as a young girl or boy.”

In the meantime, Sherman will focus on excelling at Anthem RC, where he said he’s excited to focus on the sport without the rigorous demands of UCLA courses.

Sherman – who spent some time with the club over the summer – added that he is eager to work with Anthem’s coaching staff, who have shown a big interest in his development as a player and a person.

More so, though, he is yearning to start his professional career.

“I’m really excited to give my all to rugby and see where that takes me, and I’m excited to see how I develop as a player and as a person as well,” Sherman said. “It’s going to be really challenging, but I’m ready for that. I’m going to give it my best and hope that I can make everyone who’s rooting for me proud.”