Joshua Yaro, Defense/Midfield, Cate School/Santa Barbara SC
Class: 2013
Commitment: Georgetown

Georgetown head coach Brian Wiese found a gem outside of the Development Academy four years ago when he landed current Hoyas junior forward Steve Neumann. He just found another in Joshua Yaro.

The Cate School and Region IV ODP standout gave his verbal commitment to the Big East program last week.

“Georgetown offered the right blend of good academics and a great soccer program,” Yaro told TopDrawerSoccer.com. 

The Hoyas got a good look at the athletic midfielder over the summer during a camp, which sold the coaches on adding Yaro, who is originally from Ghana and came to the States via the Right to Dream program, to the team.

But it was not until Yaro came on the official campus visit that he realized he was sold on the Hoyas too.

“The team made me feel like I fit right in,” Yaro said about the hospitality he received when he was on campus this fall. 

The high school senior added that the coaching staff at Georgetown talked about playing him at either center midfield or right back during his freshman campaign at the collegiate level.

In terms of playing abilities, Wiese and his staff are adding a player that could step into the lineup tomorrow. Speedy, powerful, and skillful – Yaro has all the tools to make a big splash at the collegiate level.

Lucas Stauffer, Midfield, Shattuck-Saint Mary’s
Class: 2014
Commitment: Creighton

Lucas Stauffer, profiled earlier this year in the Recruiting Insider series, made his verbal commitment to Creighton last week.

“Creighton is the perfect environment for me and I felt that on my visit,” Stauffer told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “Playing for coaches such as coach [Elmar] Bolowich and coach [Johnny] Torres, you're bound to get better and learn.”

Stauffer, who is a very technical player with excellent first touch, agreed that the transition to the physicality of the Missouri Valley Conference will be tricky, but said he is ready for the challenge.

“Whenever you go play at a new place there is always an adjustment period. My next goal now is to make that time period as short as possible.”

The 17-year-old’s skill comes from his time playing futsal, indoor soccer, where he is a member of the U.S. National Team.

Asked about his future with futsal now that he is heading to college, Stauffer said it is still part of his plans.

“I will continue to play a high level of futsal and maybe even get a chance to go train with some professional teams in Spain,” the teenager said. “My main goal right now is to continue to grow and prosper at Shattuck, and have a successful season with my club. Other then that I'd like to try again in Europe and hopefully to work my way into the National Team pool for the U-18s.”

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