Illinois front row Joey Backe played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2023. He represented the Utah Warriors for his entire MLR career.

a native of Naperville, IL, just outside Chicago, Backe played as a Number 8 during his time at Western Michigan University and declared for the 2021 MLR Collegiate Draft where he was selected in the 1st Round, 9th Overall by the Utah Warriors. Backe signed with the Warriors for his rookie season and earned his debut in March 2022 against the Houston SaberCats. Backe earned a total of 4 appearances off the bench in the 2022 campaign.

He returned for the 2023 season and enjoyed a solid sophomore season, earning his first two pro starts in 8 further appearances for the Utah Warriors, completing tackles and running for 136m in possession. On 3rd July 2023, Joey Backe announced on Instagram that his time with the Warriors was over following that year’s MLR campaign. As of 2025, Backe had returned to Chicago and was playing club rugby with the SouthSide Irish.

Achievements

• MLR Draftee: 2021 – 1st Round (9th Overall) – Utah Warriors