Kayla Jennings, Midfielder, Match Fit Academy
IMG Academy 150 Ranking: #11
Class: 2015
Commitment: Maryland

It’s common for elite soccer players to dabble in other sports, but Kayla Jennings found a way to excel at three.

The standout midfielder on Match Fit Academy’s ECNL squad, Jennings is a dominant player who controls proceedings in the center of the park, loves to play through balls up top and win 50/50 challenges.

When not playing soccer, she found time to play basketball and lacrosse, sports she’s come to enjoy, but not love quite as much as the beautiful game.

To that end, it was also a sense of familiarity that led her to verbally commit to Maryland, where she'll drop the other two and focus on her favorite sport.

“I decided to commit to the University of Maryland because I loved the entire vibe of the school,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I loved Coach [Jonathan] Morgan, who reminds me in many ways of my club coach Jordan Raper who has coached and developed my game since I was 7 years old. I loved the campus, the soccer program, and the team. I felt comfortable and welcomed there.

“When I went to other campuses it reassured me that Maryland was the school for me. The campus is gorgeous. I have a very good relationship with the coach and that was important for me. Maryland is a program on the rise and I felt I can go there and help take it to the next level.”

Those other sports have helped hone her skills that she will take to College Park, plus she also hopes that playing time will be available shortly after the start of her collegiate career.

“I really liked Maryland style of play and how close the entire team was,” she said. “I liked the idea of making an immediate impact on the program as a center mid . . . I liked how aggressive the team played and they approached every game believing they were the better team.”

Along with the style of play being similar and enjoyable, there was a lot about the school itself that reminded her of home, not to mention the school ticking a number of other boxes as well.

“I really loved the campus and its diverse student body, which reminded me a lot of my hometown Montclair,” she said. “Maryland is a big school and that is what I wanted. It has one of the top business schools and that is what I am looking to pursue as my career.”

Bryce Watts, Forward, PDA
IMG Academy 150 Ranking: #26
Class: 2015
Commitment: Florida

Dedication is a crucial element to any successful youth career, and Bryce Watts has paid the price to make it to the highest level. The Pennsylvania native spends a couple hours in the car just to practice with her PDA squad on most days.

The sacrifice paid off for the attacker, who recently made her commitment to SEC power Florida.

“I made my commitment to Florida because it felt like a second home away from Pennsylvania,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “We have traveled to Florida many times for tournaments and vacations and my entire family loves it there. Some of my dad's family also lives there. They play at the highest level and are always striving to win a national championship.”

Sensing a tight-knit unit down in Gainesville also caught Watts’ attention, not to mention the school’s facilities.

“The coaches have been there since the program started and have accomplished so much,” she explained. “Because of their experience it feels like they are a family I want to be a part of that.  I love how hard the team works and their commitment to improving even though they are in college. I know that I will learn and grow as a player.

“Even though it has over 50,000 students, the campus is not overwhelming in size and is just beautiful. The soccer complex is amazing and I am so excited to play there.”

Other commitments:

Beryl Smith (Challenge SC) committed to Miami (FL) for the class of 2014.

Goalkeeper Sarah Le Beau (Eclipse SC) committed to Auburn for the class of 2014.

Midfielder Sarah Roberts (So Cal Blues) committed to Ohio State for the class of 2015.

Midfielder Kelsey Parrinello (Vardar) committed to Cincinnati for the class of 2014.