In one of the surprises of the offseason, Furman announced itself as a heavyweight in the world of recruiting. We start our Signing Day analysis with a little program doing big things.

Furman

Kevin Pahl

Signings: George Fradenburg (Birmingham United), Nikolai Hammer (Clearwater Chargers), Trent Johnson (Charlotte Soccer Academy), Adrian McInnis (Chicago Fire Juniors of LA), Kevin Pahl (Clearwater Chargers), Tyler Peoples (GSA Phoenix Red 93), Clint Ritter (Dallas Texans), Dennis Sanchez (Shattuck St. Mary’s), Eric Steber (CASL Chelsea), Walker Zimmerman (GSA Phoenix Red 93), Hart Zwing (South Carolina United)
Skinny: Who would have predicted that Southern Conference champion Furman would come away with one of the top signing classes in the country? Well, it did.

The class is highlighted by three of the best 25 prospects in our Top 100. Midfielder Fradenburg (No. 19) is a natural left footer with good speed and a good work ethic; Pahl (No. 20) is also a highly skilled midfielder with national team experience while Zimmerman (No. 24) is just one of the defenders who should instantly impact the Paladins. Defender Steber, No. 92 in our Top 100, is another. Furman also adds two capable goalkeepers in Sanchez and Johnson.

UC Irvine

Signings: Mitchell Alvarez (West Coast FC), Bryan Breslin (United FC), Michael Breslin (United FC), Daniel Coates (Pateadores FC), Juan Gutierrez (West Coast FC), Lester Hayes (SAC United), Cameron Iwasa (Nor Cal Elite), Tarek Morad (Arsenal FC), Irving Ventura-Rafaela (San Jose Earthquakes), Cody Thompson (Real So Cal)  
Skinny: Coming off their Big West regular season title, the Anteaters have acquired some good instate talent. Coates is a 6-foot-2 defender who brings toughness and athletic ability; he’s an intriguing prospect. Hayes, the group’s only out-of-state signing, is a 6-foot-5 striker who can put the ball in the back of the net. In Bryan and Michael, UC Irvine will receive brothers and teammates. Thompson is a longtime goalkeeper for Real So Cal who has competed alongside talented guys and knows how to play his position.

Tulsa

Cameron Iwasa

Signings: Dillon Alexander (Westside Alliance), Wayne Farmer (Powys, Wales), SeoHyun Kim (KCFC), Abe Matamoros (Houston Dynamo), Joshua Parker, Stephen Roberson (Chicago Fire), Tony Rocha (Texans Soccer Club), Leonard Smith (Dallas Texans), Quinn Starker (Tulsa Soccer Club), Alexander Zuerlein (Scott Gallagher Metro)  
Skinny: It’s a big class for the Hurricanes who had a few holes to fill.

“I think we’ve done a good job in replacing some of our key attacking players,” Tulsa men’s coach Tom McIntosh told the team’s website. “We are certainly excited about the overall qualities of the class.”

Tulsa welcomes several Development Academy players and a few featured in our rankings. Robertson is No. 10 in the South region because of his skill with the ball at his feet and decision-making as a midfielder. Smith, No. 13 in the Texas Region, has the kind of size that could translate well to the next level.  Rocha is another Texas stud who comes in at No. 20 in the region.

Tulsa will be attempting to rebound and take a step forward following last season’s second-round loss in the NCAA Tournament.

William & Mary(m)

Signings: Chris Albiston (Beach FC Fire), Chris Dunn (Arlington Venom), Neil Harrison (Beach FC Fire), Bennett Jones (Arlington Venom), Andrew Kestler (Potomac), Daniel Laws (FC Richmond Magic), Marcus Luster (Beach FC Red), Patrick O’Brien (Virginia Legacy Soccer Club), Michael Teiman (Liverpool, England), Josh West (Arlington Venom)
Skinny: Lots of teammates arrive together in this class which is always beneficial for team chemistry. Albiston, Harrison and Luster all represent Beach FC, but bring distinctively different skills. Albiston is a dynamic attacker, Harrison is a center back and Luster a holding midfielder.

Dunn, Jones and West arrive from the Arlington Venom. Dunn is a versatile player who could see time at a variety of positions; West is an attacker and Jones is a goalkeeper.

The Tribe is hoping to remain the class of the Colonial Athletic Association.