Today’s Signing Day analysis begins with a program that came ever so close to a national title in 2010.

Ohio State

Signings: Madison Beckley (Slammers FC), Meredith DeLong (Ohio Premier), Aubrey Fisher (Eagles SC), Ashley Gruenbaum (Ohio Premier), Ellyn Gruber (Ohio Elite), Kiiri Kuld (Toronto, Ontario), Caroline Murray (South Central Premier), Megan Scoliere (Ohio Premier), Chelsey Swackhamer (Ohio Premier)
Skinny: Coming off their spectacular run to the College Cup a year ago, Ohio State is apparently fond of team chemistry. We say this because the Buckeyes have signed four teammates from Ohio Premier of the ECNL: DeLong, Gruenbaum, Scoliere and Swackhamer. It’s a great club to pluck from and Ohio State is getting four capable players who obviously know each other well.

Gruber is the biggest name in the group, coming in at No. 28 in our Top 100. The central midfielder is a serious threat capable of carrying a team offensively. She helped lead Ohio Elite to the ECNL semifinals a year ago. Gruber is joined by Murray, our No. 13 player in the Northeast Region, as well as Canadian Kuld.

Charleston Southern

Signings: Misty Tatom (Houston Challenge), Jackie Leo (Cherry Hill FC), Emma Faubert (Columbia United SC), Katelyn Faucette (Charlotte United), Hali Singleton (Charlotte United), Chelsea Phillips (Cherry Hill FC), Stephanie Hand (Westfield SA), Gina Thomas (Cherry Hill FC), Caroline Eriksson (Molndal, Sweden), Kenandra DeSaussure (South Carolina United FC).
Skinny: After a strong season in which they earned a share of the Big South regular season title and tied a school record for wins in a single season, the Buccaneers are reloading with a big group of diversely skilled players. We’ve got small but quick playmakers like Thomas, Phillips and Tatom; big defenders like Faucette and Singleton and an international addition of Eriksson who comes from Sweden. It’s an interesting mix of players and one that could help the program continue its progress.

Oklahoma

Signings: Emily Bowman (Dallas Sting), Hannah Gordon (Eclipse Soccer Club), Abby Hodgen (Oklahoma Futbol Club), Kelly Price (Eclipse Select S.C.)
Skinny: The Sooners already have a pretty young roster which may explain why their class isn’t as hefty as it may have been in years past. Bowman is the No. 74 ranked player in our Top 100. The Dallas Sting product is a versatile player, able to excel at defender or produce goals. A regular all-event honored player in the ECNL, Bowman is steady on the ball and makes good decisions.

She’s joined by a trio of attackers in Gordon, Hodgen and Price who brings athleticism and big potential.

Seattle

Signings: Megan Daniels (Irvine Strikers), Kiana Kraft (Seattle United), Taylor Ritzman (Sparta United), Renae Russell (Irvine Strikers), Stephanie Verdoia (Sparta United)
Skinny: Kraft is ranked No. 20 in the Pacific Northwest Region. A local product, she’s a very technical and solid midfielder who should have little problem making the collegiate adjustment. Russell, a defender, and Daniels, a striker, both arrive from the Irvine Strikers while Ritzman and Verdoia are both Utah prospects. Both Ritzman and Verdoia have been ODP participants.