EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer head coach Damon Rensing has announced the addition of eight student-athletes as part of the 2015 recruiting class. The class of 2015 includes Hunter Barone (Grandville, Mich.), Connor Corrigan (Indianapolis, Ind.), Robbie Cort (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) DeJuan Jones (East Lansing, Mich.), Kaden Keller (St. Louis, Mo.), Zach Kovan (Okemos, Mich.), Luke Menne (Grand Ledge, Mich.), and Ryan Sierakowski (McHenry, Ill.).

"We are really excited to welcome these eight student-athletes into the Michigan State Soccer Family," said Rensing. "They cover a wide range of positions and several will have the opportunity to impact the team in the fall of 2015.

"On paper, this is certainly one of our best recruiting classes to date and one of the best in the country. I love the fact that we were able to attract some of the best players from the greater Lansing area, across the state of Michigan, and throughout the Midwest. These young men have shown the ability on the field that will translate to Big Ten soccer, the discipline to succeed in the classroom at MSU, and the character to represent Michigan State University in the community."

This team includes the No. 23 and No. 17 overall defenders in the country named by Top Drawer Soccer, with players reaching as high as No. 6 as an athlete in their respective region. In national rankings, recruits of the 2015 class rank as high as No. 70 in the nation as named by Top Drawer Soccer and No. 72 by College Soccer News.

"It takes an entire staff to put a class like this together," Rensing said. "Therefore, I would like to thank assistant coach Ben Pirmannfor his work in evaluating and communicating with these young men. Ben certainly knows what it takes to be a Spartan soccer player and his input is greatly valued. Our volunteer coach Paul Gilbert has been very helpful with on-campus visits and identifying players through our camps. Last but not least, I would like to thank former assistant and current Yale Head Coach, Kylie Stannard, for his work in assembling a great 2015 class." 

Hunter Barone
Fr., F, 5-11, Grandville, Mich./East Kentwood

Prior to MSU: High school letterwinner 2012 and 2014 ... Elected team captain in 2014 season ... Earned All-Conference, All-District, All-Region, and All-State honors in 2012 and 2014 ... Named All-American in 2014 ... Competed in club soccer with the Crew Academy Wolves and GRCJ ... Third place Academy Nationals his freshman year ... Placed eighth at Academy Nationals and was the leading scorer his sophomore year ... Fifth place Great Lakes Academy Region in his junior year ... Participated in National U-15 ID camp ... Ranked No. 118 by College Soccer News and No. 11 in the Great Lakes Region by Top Drawer Soccer as a recruit ... Father, Joey, played soccer at Calvin College ... Older brothers Mark and Domenico played soccer at Michigan State.

Coach Rensing on Barone...
"Hunter is a very dynamic attacking player. He has the versatility to play as a target or as an attacking wide player. He is very good at breaking players down 1v1 and has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net. One of the qualities I don't think a lot of people know is Hunter is very good in the air as well. I was fortunate to work Hunter's brothers Mark and Domenic here at MSU and am excited to work with Hunter as well."

 

Connor Corrigan
Fr., D, 5-9, Indianapolis, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern

Prior to MSU: Competed as a freshman at Hamilton Southeastern high school, where he earned All-Conference, All-District, and All-State honorable mention ... Competed with the Indiana Fire Academy in the 2014 season and 2013 playoffs ... Ranked No. 133 by College Soccer News as a recruit ... Ranked No. 79 in the nation (No. 17 overall defender) and No. 6 in the Great Lakes region by Top Drawer Soccer as a recruit ... Father, Sean, competed in baseball at IUPUI, with the distinction of being their first scholarship athlete.

Coach Rensing on Corrigan...
"Connor has a very cultured left foot and can either play left back or left midfield. He is quick and is a very good 1v1 defender. He is very comfortable on the ball and gets forward very well from the left back position. His service from the wide areas of the field is impeccable and can be a great weapon. Coming from the Indiana Fire Academy and coach Phil Presser, who played Big Ten soccer, he will certainly be prepared for high level Division I soccer."

 

Robbie Cort
Fr., M, 6-1, Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Brother Rice

Prior to MSU: Competed at Brother Rice, lettering in 2011 and 2012 and named captain 2009-11 ... Vardar Academy captain 2012-13 and 2014-15 ... Competed with Vardar Academy his sophomore through senior years as a starter ... Also has five years ODP and two years regional ODP experience ... Competed in skiing all four years of high school, with All-State honors, and in football his senior year as a Warrior ... Brother, Jay, played soccer at Valparaiso and sister, Jessica, swam at Colorado Mesa University.

Coach Rensing on Cort...
"Robbie is an extremely versatile player who can play a number of positions on the soccer field. He is athletic and technically very sound. He has a high fitness level which lends him to play out wide or center midfield if need be. One thing that is great about Robbie is that he plays both sides of the ball. Robbie comes from the Vardar Academy where we have had a long list of players who have had great success here at MSU. Demir Muftari and Morris and Mike Lupenec do a great job and always have them prepared to compete right away."

 

DeJuan Jones
Fr., F, 6-2, East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing

Prior to MSU: Three-year varsity letterwinner at East Lansing, 2012-14 ... Three-year All-Conference, All-Area, All-District and All-Region honoree ... Two-year Lansing State Journal player of the year ... All-State Dream Team his junior season ... His senior year, he participated in the High School All-America Game, was named Mr. Soccer of Michigan, All-American and was recognized by the State of Michigan House of Representatives for being Mr. Soccer and for his contributions to back-to-back state championships ... Played club soccer with TNT Dynamite ... Led TNT Dynamite to 2011 and 2012 State Cup Finalist and 2013 State Cup Semi-Finalist places ... 2014 National Super Y Champion with Force FC, awarded the golden boot of tournament ... Father, Demetrius, played football at Western Michigan.

Coach Rensing on Jones...
"We are really excited to keep a local player with DeJuan's accolades right here at MSU. There hasn't been a soccer player come out of the greater Lansing area of DeJuan's quality probably since Cyrus Saydee, who also played at Michigan State as well. The combination of his speed, athleticism and ability to finish makes DeJuan a very promising player. What separates DeJuan from a lot of forwards is his work rate and willingness to work defensively as well. Playing for Nick Archer, former National Champion soccer player at MSU, at East Lansing High and Jeff Hosler at TNT soccer club has instilled confidence in DeJuan that will translate well at MSU."

 

Kaden Keller
Fr., D, 6-2, St. Louis, Mo./The Principia Upper School

Prior to MSU: Two-year letterwinner at the Principia Upper School, 2011-12 ... Earned All-District, All-League and All-State honors in both years of high school competition ... Played club soccer with St. Louis Scott Gallagher U18 Academy ... Academy team finished 1st in the Mid-Atlantic conference and went to the USSDA Academy playoffs SLSG Academy in 2014 ... Competed in freshman track at the Prinicipia Upper School ... No. 6 rank in the Hearland Region by Top Drawer Soccer ... Father, Kipp, played football and baseball at the Principia College and mother, Heather, played tennis at the Principia College.

Coach Rensing on Keller...
"Kaden is a tenacious defender, who has a lot of intangibles and leadership qualities that are important for center backs. He is very good in the air both attacking and defending. He is comfortable playing out of the back and has good positioning. He reminds me a little of Ryan Keener who just finished a great career here at Michigan State. Playing for the Scott Gallagher, St. Louis Academy, and coaches Tim Leonard and Kevin Kalish certainly will have Kaden both technically and tactically ready."

 

Zach Kovan
Fr., GK , 5-10 , Okemos, Mich./Okemos

Prior to MSU: Played soccer at Okemos High School, earning the title of team captain in 2014 with All-State Dream Team , First-Team All-State, Lansing State Journal Dream Team, All-District, All-League and All-Academic honors ... Two-year All-Academic honoree ... Team ranked No. 1 in state for 2014, ranked No. 4 individually ... Played club soccer with the CSA Wolves Academy, earning a No. 1 finish in the Academy Central Conference in 2013 ... Finished as State Cup U16 Semifinalists with TNT Dynamite in 2012 ... ODP experience includes Region II ODP Team and Team Champions, Youth Nationals Tournament and Winter Interregional Tournament ... Sister, Sarah, plays soccer at Michigan State.

Coach Rensing on Kovan...
"Zach is no stranger to Michigan State University or its Athletic Department. He is a true Spartan. He is the lone goalkeeper in this class. Zach is really good with his feet and reads the game of soccer very well. Although he is not the tallest, his jumping ability and quickness make up for that. Zach also has been a very good leader, whether it be on his high school or club team. He has a very magnetic personality on and off the field, which we welcome here at MSU. Brian Guggemos at Okemos High does a great job getting his players ready for college soccer."

 

Luke Menne
Fr., M, 5-11, Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge

Prior to MSU: Four-year letterwinner at Grand Rapids high school and was named team captain his senior year ... Four-year All-Conference honoree ... Three-year All-District honoree ... Earned Third-Team All-State honors in 2014 ... Two-year Lansing State Journal Dream Team recognition ... Competed in club soccer with the Grand Rapids Crew Juniors, with finishes at the Disney Showcase, Michigan State Cup, MRL Premier, and National League competitions.

Coach Rensing on Menne...
"Luke is one of three local players joining our program in 2015. Similar to Robbie Cort, Luke can play several positions and is very versatile. Although a quiet person off the field, he is a very tough competitor and a gritty performer. Combining that attribute with his very sound athleticism and soccer skills, he will fit in very well here at MSU. His club team, the Grand Rapids Crew Academy, have been one of the best club teams in the country for their age group. Lewis Robinson has done a great job with that group and Luke. Luke also played an integral part of his Grand Ledge high school team coached by Scott Dane."

 

Ryan Sierakowski
Fr., F, 6-1, McHenry, Ill./McHenry West

Prior to MSU: Captain of U16 Acadmey Tem with Sockers FC Academy, 2013-14 ... Competed with Chicago Fire U18 Academy, leading the team in scoring and named to Academy Select Team in 2013 and named to Winter Showcase Best XI team in 2014 ... Mother, Sheryl, played basketball at UIC and Appalachian State University ... ODP experience includes IL State, 2008-12 and Region II Team, 2011-12 ... Called to US U18 National Team Camp in 2014 ... Ranked No. 72 as an individual in the nation by College Soccer News and No. 70 by Top Drawer Soccer ... No. 23 overall forward in the country by Top Drawer Soccer ... Brother played soccer at Loras College.

Coach Rensing on Sierakowski...
"Ryan comes here to Michigan State as one of the top prospects in the country. His experience with USA U-18 national team also confirms his quality. Ryan has all the tools a forward needs to excel at the DI national level. He can score both in the air and with either foot. He can make runs in behind or play back to goal. He continues to grow and get stronger, which will help him with the collegiate game as well. Playing for Larry Sunderland with the Chicago Fire Academy is as good an environment you can have to prepare you for college soccer and beyond."