* Classes weighted by TopDrawerSoccer.com Players To Watch® & Top 100 Lists
* Number in parenthesis represents Players To Watch® Top 100 ranking

No. 1: Princeton

A few of the Tigers’ new recruits were working especially hard this past week. The US Development Academy National Playoffs played out over eight days, and Princeton’s newcomers made a major imprint on all the action.

It was a good omen for Princeton; good enough in fact to place the program at the top of this list.

Forward Matt Sanner helped his Carmel United squad capture the Academy U18 title with skills that will suit him well in the coming years. Sanner is a well built attacker who plays well in the air and is dangerous on set pieces.

Joining him next season, as they did during the week of competition in Carson, California, is midfielder Lester Nare, of CASL Chelsea. Nare is a fleet-footed athlete who has a knack for winning balls. Centerback Mark Linville (Greensboro Academy) is another player with a big upside. He has size, strength and competes well in the air.

Other recruits include midfielder Andrew Menendez (Chicago Magic), defender David Dubow (FC Delco) and goalkeeper Max Gallin (Clearwater Chargers).

No. 2: Yale

Milan Tica (57) is one of the top defensive players in the country. At 6-foot-4 he possesses exceptional physical tools but also knows how to work smart and cover plenty of ground with his positioning.

Tica, of the Chicago Magic, is one of the faces of the Bulldogs’ 2013 class and one of the reasons we’re confident that this group is a good one.

Not to be overlooked is defender Tony Wilbar who has a chance to help his Javanon Soccer Club win a USYS national title. The 6-foot-5 goalkeeper product out of Real Colorado is another key get on the defensive side.

The aforementioned blue chippers will help address a defense that had one of the worst goals per game averages in the conference.

On the other side of the ball is Scott Armbrust (Edmond Soccer Club), midfielders Kevin Peterson, Frank Shaw (Potomac Academy Club) and Adrian Wright (Vardar Soccer Club).

No. 3: Brown

To continue the theme of an Ivy League “uprising,” Brown has ushered in a nice class that could eventually help shift the power of the conference.

Bridge FA’s Bobby Belair is a recruit to be excited about – a versatile player who understands the game and could help the program in a variety of ways. He’ll be joined by defender Ryan McDuff (Andromeda SC), an aggressive footballer capable of disrupting plays and creating turnovers or attacking out of the back.

Goalkeeper Sam Kernan-Schloss, along with defenders Dylan Remick and Eric Robertson will help fill the void of graduated back Rhett Bernstein, a first-team all-conference player.

Oklahoma’s Joseph Stall is a potential two-way player, while midfielders Kevin Gavey and Thomas McNamara are also welcome additions on the squad.

No. 4:  (tie) Dartmouth, Penn, Harvard

There’s little sense in trying to distinguish the triumvirate that is the top three teams in the Ivy League.

As expected, all three did a fairly good job reloading after bidding goodbye to some key ingredients to last season’s success.

Dartmouth will feature a class that includes midfielder Kevin Dzierzawski. A former U.S. national pool player, he has a lot to offer on the outside and works hard on both sides of the ball.

The Big Greens lose last season’s Player of the Year Craig Henderson, but fill out the class with Justin Ciambella (Florida Rush), goalkeeper Sean Donovan (Eclipse Select), midfielder Brad Jacobson (FC Westchester Academy) and striker keith Moffat (Mavericks United).

Penn: Goalkeeper Garon Smith, of PDA, arrives just as the team is saying goodbye to keeper Drew Healy.

The Quakers have rare experience in their new class with players like Travis Cantrell (FC Delco), who comes with international experience, and national pool player Alex Tuch (Clearwater Chargers), a midfielder.

Forwards Michael Kozak (PA Classics) and Cameron Mathis (Connecticut Wolves) join as well as Bryan Yasukochi, of Pateadores Soccer Club.

Harvard: Forward Brian Rogers, of Albertson Soccer club, is a great target up top with his size and strength. He makes dangerous runs to get in behind the defense but can also show and hold off defenders. He’ll be great at the collegiate level.

Harvard is losing key contributors Mike Fucito and John Stamatis, but expect big things from a group that includes Jon Bryant, Brett Conrad, Owen Fox, Scott Prozeller, Richard Smith, Brad Stevens, Leighton Welch, Zack Wolfenzon and Brett Conrad.

No. 7: Columbia

 PDA forward Will Stamatis and Sereno Soccer Club midfielder Nick Ayers highlight this incoming class. Status is a quick decision maker with decent speed while Ayers is dangerous in the open field.

Teammates of Ayers’ at Sereno, Quentin Grisby and Brendan O’Hearn will also join the bunch along with speedy Minnesota Thunder midfielder Spencer Duhaime, defender Kevin Powers, Benjamin Santos, Nick Scott and Julian Bongiorno.

Incomplete: Cornell

The Lions have yet to finalize their new class as they bring in a new era under coach Jaro Zawislan. We’ll update as information become available.