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Grace Cory, Midfielder, Dallas Texans
Class: 2016
Commitment: Alabama 

Team success has been a common theme throughout Grace Cory’s club and high school career. She was part of a Dallas Texan side that competed at last year’s ECNL national finals in Richmond, while her Southlake Carroll high school side finished as state runners up her freshman year.

Grace, a holding midfielder, is an athletic force that gets forward to contribute to the attack. Her thorough college search eventually led her to pick Alabama.

“I had been visiting schools for a while now and had the opportunity to see several different programs in several different parts of the country,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “We decided to stop back in Tuscaloosa during another visit recently. This visit confirmed what I was already feeling, especially my relationship with the coaching staff. As soon as I set foot back on campus, I knew I was ‘home’.”

Finding a program that offered opportunities in school and soccer was a huge part of the process, and she felt that this particular SEC program presented that chance.

“First and foremost, this program places a heavy emphasis on academics,” she said. “I’m going to school to get an education and to play soccer and I was looking for a program that emphasized that aspect of my college life. Also, because of the success of football and other sports at Alabama, the coaches there know the importance of creating an environment of excellence. That was something I was drawn to.”

There was plenty about Alabama that caught her eye.

“It is hard to find a school with a stronger tradition, beautiful campus great academics,” Cory said. “Their athletic department and facilities are second to none and when I combined all that along with the incredible staff in place. I couldn't imagine a better place to play soccer for four years.” 

Cory is the first reported commitment to Alabama for its 2016 recruiting class.

Jenna Sayers, Midfielder, New Jersey Rush
Class: 2016
Commitment: Rutgers

A versatile and crafty player who aims to contribute on both sides of the ball, Jenna Sayers didn’t have to look out of her home state to find her future college home. 

“There are many reasons why I decided to commit to Rutgers,” she told TopDrawerSoccer.com. “I felt that the great academic programs and the talented soccer program would suit me well. Also, the school is very family oriented, so it's nice to feel welcomed and close to everybody.”

MORE: 2016 Girls IMG Academy 150 | Girls Commitments | ECNL Scoreboard

With regards to the soccer program, Sayers labeled it as “awesome,” and is looking forward to the team’s new conference home.

“The coaches are outstanding and they're bringing in a lot of talented girls,” she said. “The fact that Rutgers is joining the Big Ten really excites me. I can't wait to play as a Scarlet Knight.”

A proximity to the Big Apple was one of many draws as well.

“The school itself is ideal,” she said. “It's in the state I grew up in and it's not too far from one of my favorite places, New York City. It's a big school and the campus is really nice.”

Sayers is the first commitment to Rutgers for the class of 2016.

Other commitments:

Midfielder Maddy Lowe (Buffalo Soccer Academy) committed to Ohio State for the class of 2017.

Defender Jordan Hill (Dallas Sting) committed to Texas A&M for the class of 2016.

Defender Kori Lewis (Sereno SC) committed to UTEP for the class of 2016.

Defender Mackenzie Smith (Revolution Empire) committed to Clemson for the class of 2016.

Goalkeeper Hannah Parrish (Team Chicago) committed to Baylor for the class of 2015.

Goalkeeper Claire Graves (OP Eagles) committed to Iowa for the class of 2016.