The 2017 men’s DI college season is a little more than a month away.
Scores of freshmen will be looking to make an immediate impact, as the race for the 2017 College Cup will start in August.
Plenty of talent is heading to the Division I ranks this year. Of course, the actual intake won’t be known until preseason and players arrive on campus.
The latest Recruiting Class Rankings tries to take a stab at the top incoming classes heading to schools this fall. One more final ranking will be released next month.
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1. Stanford*
Commitments: M Carson Vom Steeg (Real So Cal – No. 6), D Logan Panchot (St. Louis Scott Gallagher – No. 7), F Rhys De Sota (Colorado Rapids – No. 14), M Charlie Wehan (Strikers FC – No. 17), D Andrew Aprahamian (Philadelphia Union – No. 47), M Kei Tomozawa (Seattle Sounders – No. 57), F Arda Bulut (San Jose Earthquakes – No. 64), F Jack O’Brien (Colorado Rush – No. 92), F Zachary Ryan (New York Red Bulls – No. 106), GK Andrew Thomas (Watford FC)
With goalkeeper Andrew Epstein leaving the program with a year of eligibility left, Stanford’s made a late addition to its top class with the commitment of goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, a product of Watford’s Academy in England.
Commitments: D John Nelson (Internationals SC – No. 11), F Alex Rose (Capital Area Railhawks Academy – No. 19), F Lucas Del Rosario (Capital Area Railhawks Academy – No. 25), M Raul Aguilera (Orlando City – No. 42), D Mark Salas (FC Dallas – No. 52), GK Alec Smir (North Carolina Fusion – No. 111), D Charlie Forecast (Wigan Academy)
One of the few top classes that remains unannounced, the pickups of Rose, Nelson and Del Rosario in particular should provide players that are ready to jump into the starting lineup right away.
3. Wake Forest*
Commitments: M Brandon Servania (FC Dallas – No. 13), F Omir Fernandez (New York Red Bulls – No. 26), D Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union – No. 29), F Machop Chol (Atlanta United – No. 115), GK Andrew Pannenberg (Charlotte Soccer Academy – No. 103), M Landen Haig (Orlando City – No. 126), M Kyle McCurley (FC United), GK Dominic Peters (San Jose Earthquakes), M/F Justin McMaster (Philadelphia Union)
Wake put out its class at the end of June, with all its commitments lined up. Servania’s ability to jump into the midfield right away should help Wake cope with the loss of Jacori Hayes and Ian Harkes. Up front, Machop Chol and Omir Fernandez should be able to at least make a dent in substitute roles, if not eventually work their way into starting roles this year.
