John Requejo Jr., Defender, Real So Cal
IMG Academy Top 150 Rank: #6
Class: 2014
Commitment: UCLA 

An outside back for the U.S. Under 17 men’s national team, John Requejo Jr is going to be a bit closer to home after spending most of the last year and a half at the Residency program in Bradenton, Florida.

“UCLA is one of the best schools in the country and knowing that they were interested in me was an honor,” he told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “It was a hard decision, but I was looking for a good match academically and athletically and in the end I felt that UCLA was the university for me.”

Despite the team’s relative struggles of last fall – the team won the Pac-12 but couldn’t put together a deep run in the NCAA tournament – there was plenty that drew the defender to the team. 

“I am very excited about being part of the Bruin soccer program,” he said. “The campus is amazing and the facilities are top notch. I really like the style of soccer they play and feel that I will fit right in. The positive attitudes by the coaches at UCLA showed me that they not only want to win a national championship, but also strive to develop a soccer player into being the best they can be.”

Hannah Smith, Forward, FC Dallas
Class: 2014
Commitment: Mississippi State 

Count Hannah Smith as one of the recruits who knew where she wanted to go when setting foot on campus. 

“I committed to Mississippi State because when I visited I fell in love with everything about it,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “Another reason is that it has always been a dream of mine to play at an SEC school.”

Besides the allure of an exciting campus, there were several traits of the school’s soccer team that drew her in.

“Some things that stood out to me were the coaches, players, and facilities,” she said. “I was extremely impressed with how they are rebuilding the program and I am excited to be a part of that process.”

Courtney Carroll, Charlotte Soccer Academy, Midfielder
Class: 2014
Commitment: Mississippi

A versatile player who coaches can deploy in either a midfield or forward role, Courtney Carroll will look to take her versatility to the SEC.

“I committed to Mississippi because it was a great fit for me,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “The coaches, the playing environment and the opportunity to play in the SEC are all very attractive to me.”

A connection with assistant coach Becky Fletcher, who was Carroll’s coach in Region III ODP, provided a sense of familiarity with the program as well. Along with that, she sensed that she would really enjoy being a student-athlete at the school.

“There is also lots of support for the sports programs at Ole Miss, and I am looking forward to being a Rebel,” she said. “The campus is pretty too, and I like its size and the academic opportunities that are available. Ole Miss has a very good International Studies program, which is a major that I am considering. I can see myself having a great college experience in Oxford.”

Other girls commitments:

Midfielder Nicole Driesse (PDA) committed to Florida State for the class of 2013.

Defender Ellie Jean (Oakwood SC) committed to Penn State for the class of 2015.

Defender Madison Kenny (PDA) committed to Boston College for the class of 2014.