Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Hounds have announced the contract extension of Peyton Wall, who was named the 2025 Major League Rugby (MLR) Rookie of the Year. Wall, a 24-year-old wing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, joined the Hounds after a successful collegiate career at Indiana University. His achievements in college included All-Big 10 MVP honors, First-Team All-Conference recognition, and contributing to the Hoosiers' 2024 Big 10 championship.

Wall was selected by the Hounds as the tenth overall pick in the 2024 MLR Draft. He began his professional journey with a strong season in the Hounds Academy before making his MLR debut in Week 12 against the Miami Sharks. He entered the starting lineup for the first time the following week against the New England Free Jacks, where he ran for 94 meters on eight carries and beat five defenders.

Wall scored his first MLR try during a Monday Night Rugby game against Los Angeles. In that match, he also achieved two linebreaks and beat six defenders. In Week 15 against Carolina Anthem, Wall set two single-game franchise records for the Hounds: he made 11 carries for 142 meters and registered 11 beaten defenders along with five clean line breaks. This performance helped secure Chicago’s second consecutive playoff berth.

Despite only making seven appearances in his rookie season, Wall scored three tries on 50 carries, gained 572 meters at an average of 11.4 meters per carry, broke the line cleanly 12 times, and beat 32 defenders. His efforts earned him both the Hounds Rookie of the Year and the MLR Rookie of the Year awards.

Wall is currently part of the USA Eagles’ wider player pool for the upcoming fall test match series and was also included in their July series squad.

"