Nate Lyon Returns as Development Player

The Dallas Jackals are happy to announce Nate Lyon is returning to the Pack for the 2022 Season as a Development Player! Last season, Lyon was going to be a remote Development Player with the Austin Blacks, but he will be joining the team in person this year.

Born and raised just outside of San Francisco, California, Lyon, 23, started his rugby career during his freshman year of high school at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, California. He switched from soccer to rugby after realizing that his favorite part of the sport was physical contact.

Nate says, “I started playing rugby because of the culture, but I grew to love the feeling of competing both physically and mentally for the full 80 minutes.” In fact, Nate influenced his younger brother to start playing and he now plays hooker for the Boston College Eagles.

While at Bellarmine College, Lyon was elected captain of the varsity team for his senior year. He was also named to the Northern California All-Stars squad in 2016. 

After high school, Lyon continued playing at Boston College where he played all four years, primarily as fly half, on the 15s and 7s sides. 

During his time at Boston College, he competed in the 15s Varsity Cup his freshman year as well as leading his team to the Liberty Conference Championships his senior year. Competing with the 7s side during the Spring semesters, Lyon represented Boston College in the Collegiate Rugby Championship each year. Along with the CRC, he participated in the Jesuit Cup and other regional tournaments. 

Lyon spent the last year with the Austin Blacks as the starting Fly Half. He says, “It was a great introduction to competing at a higher level with more physicality and skill all around.”

GM Elaine Vassie said, “Having first spoken with Nate as part of our 2020 draft prep, it’s great to formally welcome him to Dallas as we head into the 2022 season. An intelligent player who likes a fast paced game he’s spent the past with Austin Blacks  so we have to say an added thanks to Tane and team for their support in his development over the last season.”

Lyon stated, “getting the opportunity to play the sport I love at the highest level is a privilege.” He continued, “the entire staff have clearly created a positive team culture that will compete at the highest level while also creating great men who will make a positive impact on the Dallas community.”

When asked about Dallas, he said, “After growing up in California and attending college on the East Coast, I’m excited to live in the Southern part of the US and see what the area has to offer. I look forward to being a part of the DFW community and enjoying another Texas city.”

Welcome back to the pack Nate!