The Michigan Wolverines landed the kind of game-changing freshman that every program covets last season. They try to strike gold again with their new signing class.

Michigan

Signees: Kevin Grigsby (Sereno SC), Robert Greenfield IV (Concorde Fire), Colin McAtee (San Diego Surf), TJ Van Slooten (Michigan Wolves)
Skinny: These freshmen will have a tough act to follow, that’s for sure. Soony Saad was the nation’s top first-year player last season while vying for the nation’s lead in goals scored and helping lead the Wolverines to the College Cup. Is there another Michigan newcomer that transcendent in 2011? Not likely. But there are still some special additions. Van Slooten is the No. 29 ranked player in the Top 100 and a former club teammate of Saad’s with the Michigan Wolves. Van Slooten is a crafty winger with lots of big-game experience – he’s as ready as it gets for the college level.

He’ll be joined by Concorde Fire’s Greenfield who is an intriguing prospect because of his elite speed. Grigsby is the only true defender in the bunch.

UMBC

Signees: Michael DiCesare (Columbus Crew), Corbin McCarron (Maryland Rush), Zachary Wenger (Baltimore Bays), Joe Glos (Baltimore Bays), Nick Liberto (Baltimore Bays)
Skinny: Wenger is the big name in this group – and for good reason. He’s the No. 33 ranked player in our Top 100 and one of the premier defensive midfielders in the country. He is capable of marking well and winning possessions as well as building or completing an attack.

Wenger’s Baltimore Bays teammate Glos is also on board. Glos, in fact, plays his high school soccer with Liberto – illustrating the limited degree of separation with this group. Glos is a talented goal scorer while Liberto can add depth in the midfield or defense.

Denver

Signees: Oliver Brown (Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club), Ryan Dozier (Real Colorado), Nate Esler (Chicago Fire), Kasey Esponda (Wyoming Select), Brian Hoyt (Real Salt Lake AZ), Taylor Hunter (Real Colorado), Romario Williams (Jamaica National Team)
Skinny: It’s an interesting collection of talent for the Pioneers who are coming off a successful season in they won the MPSF regular season title before reaching the NCAA Tournament. Dozier and Hunter both arrive by way of Development Academy club Real Colorado. Hunter is a tough defender who is also an offensive threat. Esler is a goalkeeper with good physical tools while Williams is a dynamic attacker and goal-scorer who could blossom into a standout.

NC State

Signees: Matt Ingram (Indiana United Academy), Joe Mills (Indiana United Academy), Monbo Bokar (CASL)
Skinny: The Wolfpack only officially list Ingram and Mills as signings but we have word that the ACC program will also welcome Bokar, who is the No. 96 ranked player in our Top 100. Bokar is a tremendous athlete and striker with loads of upside. He’s currently among the nation’s leading goal-scorers in the Development Academy with 16 scores in 18 matches.

Both Ingram and Mills arrive from Indiana United, a club with a winning tradition. Both players have competed alongside some of the top talent in the country and should be the better for it. Ingram is a good mix of athleticism and savvy in the midfield. As mentioned, he has a lot of great soccer experience, including a stint in camp with the U.S. Youth National Program. Mills is a steady goalkeeper.