Michigan has retained one of their own - and one of their best.

Jason Stacy, the Grand Rapids Crew Jrs. forward who is ranked No. 42 in our Top 100 class, announced he is staying local and has verbally committed to the Michigan Wolverines.  

In Stacy, the program will get a slashing, creative attacker with a good blend of athletic ability and soccer instincts.

Not to mention a player with great ties, and love for the Wolverines.

“I have two current teammates who are committed to Michigan and a former high school teammate that plays there now,” Stacy said. “My cousin, Jake Stacy, had a great career there and he loved every aspect of his time spent there, so that was a big influence.

“I thought it would be cool to keep some tradition in the family.”

 Now, Stacy becomes a part of the Wolverines family. He had considered other heavyweight programs like Michigan State (his new collegiate family just collectively cringed), Notre Dame, Butler, Georgetown and Harvard, but in the end his choice was clear.

“I visited a lot of great schools and met a lot of fantastic coaches, but Michigan offered everything I could have wanted in a school,” Stacy said. “Overall, there wasn't just one thing that sent it over the top because Michigan provided a very good mix of everything that was important in my decision.”

Moving on to the rest of the bunch:

Braeden Troyer (South Carolina United FC) signed to South Carolina for the 2011 season. Troyer was a late signing but is a great find as a defensive presence. He is No. 83 on our Top 100 List, and a player who is tough enough to make the hard tackle and quick enough to beat attackers to possessions.

Aaron Kovar (Seattle Sounders) has verbally committed to Stanford for the 2012 season. He is ranked No. 19 in the Pacific Northwest Region.

Nick Rizzo (St. Louis Gallagher) has verbally committed to Colgate for the 2012 season. Rizzo is No. 7 in the Heartland Region

Christian Velez (Miami FC Kendall) has signed to Florida Gulf Coast(m) for the 2011 season.

Kyle McDonald (Lonestar SC) has verbally committed to Northern Illinois for the 2012 season.

Jack Goldberg (Gwinnett Soccer Association) has verbally committed to Memphis for the 2012 season.

Clark Phillips (Westside Metro Premier) has signed with Gonzaga for the 2011 season.

Shamele Battan (Westside Metro Premier) has signed with Seattle Pacific(m) University for the 2011 season.

Javan Torre (Pateadores SC) has verbally committed to UCLA for the 2012 season.