No. 1 Tennessee defeated Bowling Green, 36-31, in the 2021 national championship game. Janowick scored three times during the first 18 minutes of the first half, helping Tennessee open a 24-0 lead against Bowling Green.
Tennessee and Janowick did not lose to a college team in 15s competition from Nov. 2019-Dec. 2021.
Janowick was named the 2021 SCRC Division I Player of the Year.
Tennessee and Janowick did not lose to a college team in 15s competition from Nov. 2019-Dec. 2021.
He came to Tennessee from Barrington High School in Barrington, Illinois.
Ahead of Janowick’s rookie season in MLR, The Rugby Network released a hype video for the former Vol. The Rugby Network’s hype video can be watched below.
Utah general manger Brandon Sparks discussed Janowick following the draft.
“Greg is another player we’ve been tracking for the past two years,” Sparks said. “If you watched Tennessee’s game against Bowling Green for the national championship in the fall, you will understand he is more than just a big, tall rugby player.
“He came to Utah earlier this week for a pre-draft workout and we were impressed to see he had shed 30 pounds and transformed his body to be ready for the MLR environment. He did a great job learning from our coaches and players while here too, but the most impressive thing for us was how he is a student of the game. His scouting work of opposition and understanding of data applied to the game of rugby are traits we are passionate about with our players.”
No. 1 Tennessee defeated Bowling Green, 36-31, in the 2021 national championship game. Tennessee led 31-19 at halftime. Janowick scored three times in the first 18 minutes of the first half, helping Tennessee open a 24-0 lead.
Tennessee and Janowick did not lose to a college team in 15s competition from Nov. 2019-Dec. 2021.
No. 1 Tennessee defeated Bowling Green, 36-31, in the 2021 national championship game. Tennessee led 31-19 at halftime. Janowick scored three times in the first 18 minutes of the first half, helping Tennessee open a 24-0 lead.
Tennessee and Janowick did not lose to a college team in 15s competition from Nov. 2019-Dec. 2021.
Greg Janowick (4). Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
“Greg is a fantastic college player,” Goff told Vols Wire. “Greg Janowick was a huge part of Tennessee’s amazing 2021 fall season and he brought a lot of power and aggression. As a pro he’d have to answer questions about his fitness. He’s a big, strong guy and his combine numbers reflect that, but can he build on his mobility and endurance to take it to the next level? That’s probably the main question. As with anyone trying to pursue a career in professional rugby, effort and strength of will count for a lot. If Janowick wants to put in the work, he can be an excellent professional player.
“With so many good locks going in the draft, he has competition, but could be picked up in the three draft rounds for sure, but if he’s an undrafted free agent, that might work better for him. He can move to a city, work hard in a team’s academy system or a high-level local club, show he can make the jump, and work out a contract from there.”
Greg Janowick concluded his rugby career at Tennessee in 2021.
Janowick and Tennessee won a national championship in 2021. Tennessee (11-0) outscored its opponents, 373-127, and recorded three shutouts during the 2021 national championship season.
No. 1 Tennessee defeated Bowling Green, 36-31, in the 2021 national championship game. Tennessee led 31-19 at halftime. Janowick scored three times in the first 18 minutes of the first half, helping Tennessee open a 24-0 lead.
Tennessee and Janowick did not lose to a college team in 15s competition from Nov. 2019-Dec. 2021.
Tennessee senior Greg Janowick named 2021 SCRC Division I Player of the Year.
Tennessee senior Greg Janowick has been named the 2021 SCRC Division I Player of the Year.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound lock is from Barrington High School in Barrington, Illinois.
Janowick and Tennessee (11-0) won the national championship and the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference championship in 2021.
The Vols finished the 2021 season outscoring its opponents, 373-127. Tennessee recorded three shutouts this season.
Ahead of Janowick’s final home game at Tennessee, he discussed playing rugby professionally.
“I’m definitely going to pursue playing professional rugby,” he told Vols Wire. “Over this last summer I entered the draft, and while I did not get drafted, I did get a call to sign with a club as an undrafted free agent.
“I ultimately had to turn it down to finish school, but I plan to re-enter the draft again in 2022. If I am given the opportunity to play for a professional club again, I will definitely take it.”
2021 SCRC All Conference
Division I First Team
Braxton Heard (Tennessee)
Chris O’Sullivan (Georgia)
Taye Olaganju (Georgia)
Greg Janowick (Tennessee)
Josh Bryant (Kentucky)
Wyatt Kelley (Kentucky)
Aidan Gill (Kentucky)
Reid Brandt (Clemson)
Luke Davies (Tennessee)
Marcus McClain (Tennessee)
Austin White (Tennessee)
Keaton Mauldin (Clemson)
Josh Shetler (Tennessee)
Cole Rinklin (Clemson)
Chris Aurich (Clemson)
Division I Second Team
Tyler Walenga (Prop, Kentucky)
Jayden Elwood (Center, Kentucky)
Connor Bradley (Flanker, Georgia)
Brian Acklen (Scrumhalf, Georgia)
Rob Cleland (Fullback, Georgia)
Graham Wallace (#8, Tennessee)
Tom Pelini (Center, Tennessee)
Jack Rath (Fullback, Tennessee)
Grant Howard (8-man, South Carolina)
Dan Golden (Center, South Carolina)
John Golden (Center, South Carolina)
Cole Frank (Lock, Clemson)
Tom Goodall (Flyhalf, Clemson)
Harry Robinson (Lock, Clemson)
Greg Janowick discusses his rugby career at Tennessee.
No. 1 Tennessee (9-0) will host Clemson (6-1) Saturday in the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference (SCRC) Tournament championship game.
Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. EST from Tennessee Rugby Park.
Senior Greg Janowick will play his final game at Tennessee Rugby Park Saturday for the Vols.
Janowick has experienced a lot of memories playing at home, but none bigger than winning the conference championship in 2019, a feat he will try and recapture Saturday.
“There’s really so many memories of playing at the Rugby Park to choose from, but I would have to say winning the championship match in 2019 was one of the most satisfying experiences I’ve had,” Janowick told Vols Wire ahead of playing his final game at Tennessee Rugby Park. “Achieving such a big accomplishment felt even better because it was with teammates who have all bonded over practice, working out, living with each other, going out to eat together. It was really special.”
2021 University of Tennessee rugby senior day. The Vols defeated Georgia, 67-7, at Tennessee Rugby Park on November 6, 2021. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire.
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound lock is from Barrington High School in Barrington, Illinois.
He started playing rugby during his sophomore year at Barrington after playing on the offensive line in football.
“I began playing rugby my sophomore year of high school when my school had just started a club,” Janowick said. “I joined immediately when the rugby coach pitched to me that I would actually get to run the ball, score, and tackle, which of course, was a really exciting concept for me at the time because I had been playing offensive line on the football team.”
2021 University of Tennessee rugby senior day. The Vols defeated Georgia, 67-7, at Tennessee Rugby Park on November 6, 2021. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire.
Janowick detailed why he left Illinois for Tennessee.
“I like to joke with people, and cite the nice weather as my main reason for coming down here – I’m only half joking because the Chicago winters are terrible,” Janowick said.
He was looking for a balance between good academics, interesting people and a solid rugby club in college.
“UT definitely nailed all three for me,” Janowick said.
Janowick will play his final home game Saturday, but he will pursue a professional career going forward in Major League Rugby.
“I’m definitely going to pursue playing professional rugby,” he said. “Over this last summer I entered the draft, and while I did not get drafted, I did get a call to sign with a club as an undrafted free agent.
“I ultimately had to turn it down to finish school, but I plan to re-enter the draft again in 2022. If I am given the opportunity to play for a professional club again, I will definitely take it.”
Below are photos during Janowick’s career at Tennessee.
