Even though he’d prepared for it, and even taken a few casual campus visits, Travis Wannemuehler still found himself a little taken back by all the attention he was receiving at the start of the school year.

“Once September 1 came, things really ramped up. I was surprised by how many emails I was getting from schools that were interested in me,” Wannemuehler said.  “I reached out and contacted most of the schools and had a chance to speak with a lot of great coaches.”

In doing so, the Carmel United striker was able to narrow his options down to five in particular: Indiana, Syracuse, Butler, Evansville and NC State.

It was a close race, but the Wolfpack won out for Wannemuehler’s 2013 services. Our No. 18 ranked player in the 2013 Top 100, Wannemuehler is an aggressive attacker with a knack for playing passes behind the defense. 

A former U.S. National Team camper, he’ll bring a lot of game along with an ambitious attitude.

“I will have the opportunity to develop as a player and to reach my goal of becoming a professional soccer player. Also, the chance to play in the ACC is very exciting to me,” he said. “I think NC State is heading in the right direction to compete for a National Championship in the near future, and I think being a part of helping that happen is beyond exciting.” 

Wannemuehler wasn’t the only big 2013 name to drop.

Real Salt Lake AZ midfielder Jordan Allen, ranked No. 9 in the 2013 Top 100, announced that he has committed to Virginia. Allen is a quick and dangerous player with a lot of potential. He wasted little time in identifying the Cavaliers program over other choices like Maryland, North Carolina and Syracuse.

“I visited the school this summer and liked it immediately,” he said. “The Virginia campus was beautiful and its facilities were top class. I liked the coaching staff and really bought into what they were trying to do with the program. I just felt at home at the school as soon as I stepped on campus. I’m happy with my decision.

Allen will be joined at some point by 2012 star Darius Madison, who has also committed to Virginia. Madison is our No. 49 ranked player in the Top 100 and brings awesome 1v1 ability and a strong shot.

Madison, of Philadelphia SC, said Virginia was the perfect distance from home – not too close, yet not too far. 

In other commitment news:

Eric O’Brien (CASL) has verbally committed to North Carolina for the 2013 season

Evan Krause (CASL) has verbally committed to North Carolina for the 2014 season. 

Logan Ketterer (FC Milwaukee Nationals) has verbally committed to Bradley for the 2012 season. 

Henry Gager (Guilderland United FC) has verbally committed to Penn for the 2012 season. 

Mark Ashby (FC Dallas) has verbally committed to Harvard for the 2012 season. 

Brian Hoxie (Tampa Bay United) has verbally committed to Air Force for the 2012 season. Hoxie is No. 15 in the Florida Region. 

Tanner Sica (Match Fit Chelsea) has verbally committed to Long Island for the 2012 season. 

Timothy Harbison (Birmingham United) has verbally committed to Liberty for the 2012 season.  

Nicholas Rochowski (FC Dallas) has verbally committed to New Mexico for the 2012 season. 

Kyle Chin (Pateadores SC) has verbally committed to Lehigh for the 2012 season.

 

Jesse Klug (Sounders FC) has verbally committed to Bucknell for the 2012 season. 

Mike Manta (Penn Fusion Celtic) has verbally committed to Lehigh for the 2012 season. 

Jaime Velasco (Westside Metros) has verbally committed to Portland for the 2012 season. 

Hugo Rhoads (FC Portland) has verbally committed to Portland for the 2012 season. 

Vaughn Moore (Concorde Fire) has verbally committed to Bucknell for the 2012 season 

Aaron Safadi (Real Colorado) has verbally committed to George Mason for the 2012 season. 

Jesse Klug (Seattle Sounders) has verbally committed to Bucknell for the 2012 season. 

Drew Morgan (Concorde Fire) has verbally committed to Rutgers for the 2012 season. 

Garrett Powell (Minnesota Thunder Academy) has verbally committed to Wisconsin for the 2012 season. 

Tim Lazorko (Philadelphia SC) has verbally committed to St. Joseph’s for the 2012 season.  

Shane Mulcahy (PDA) has verbally committed to Lehigh.

Zachary Fennessy (Minnesota Thunder) has verbally committed to Providence for the 2012 season. 

William Grace (Maryland Rush) has verbally committed to Lehigh for the 2012 season. 

Ryan Bertrando (PA Classics) has verbally committed to Lehigh for the 2012 season. Bertrando is No. 8 in the Pennsylvania Region.  

Mats Bjurman (Strikers FC) has verbally committed to UC Irvine for the 2012 season. 

Cody Guerry (Dallas Texans) has verbally committed to Army for the 2012 season.