MLS signs eight seniors ahead of combine

by TopDrawerSoccer

January 6, 2015

Major League Soccer today announced the signings of eight distinguished college seniors in advance of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas. Included in the signings are five NSCAA All-Americans, while all eight signees have earned All-Region and All-Conference honors in their collegiate careers.

Highlighting the group of signed seniors is Notre Dame Captain and midfielder Nick Besler (younger brother to Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler). After leading the Fighting Irish to the 2013 NCAA College Cup Championship, Besler played every minute of the 2014 season, notching one goal and two assists, earning him NSCAA All-America Second Team honors. Also notable on the list is Oregon State forward Khiry Shelton, who joins Besler on the NSCAA All-America Second Team this year. The Texas native was named Pac-12 Player of the Year after helping the Beavers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2003 with a career high 10 goals and 12 assists in 2014.

A total of five players signed by MLS earned NSCAA All-America honorsin 2014: Fatai Alashe (Michigan State), Nick Besler (Notre Dame), Boyd Okwuonu (UNC), Khiry Shelton (Oregon State) and Andy Thoma (University of Washington).

Below is the full list of signed seniors:

M Fatai Alashe, Michigan State

M Nick Besler, Notre Dame

D Boyd Okwuonu, North Carolina

F Khiry Shelton, Oregon State

D Andy Thoma, Washington

D Otis Earle, UC Riverside

D Ramon Martin Del Campo, UC Davis

M Dan Metzger, Maryland