2017 Boys Soccer Verbal Commitments

[Unregistered]

Title of thread is "verbal commitments".

Who said signed LOI?

It's just a comment and it relates to commitments. Jesh everyone on TS has such an itchy posting finger!

- Not the op

[Unregistered]

Let's all be honest here. Most of the names that are listed never see the soccer pitch. Just because someone's name is on this thread only means that is where they are going to college next year.

Just look at the recaps of past classes to see how few actually play.

[Unregistered]

The most important aspect of a Verbal Commitment is that it stops other coaches from recruiting that kid. Hence that school is interested in seeing that in print in various places. For other coaches it confirms that they should move on. At this stage D2 coaches are honing in on some of the remaining players and it is helpful to know who is off the table. LOI's are only for some of the D1 players and typically happen first week of Feb.

[Unregistered]

Let's all be honest here. Most of the names that are listed never see the soccer pitch. Just because someone's name is on this thread only means that is where they are going to college next year.

Just look at the recaps of past classes to see how few actually play.

I think the analysis of playing time is amongst the most useful info on here- you can do it yourself but really great that somebody does the work for you. And it does bear out the fact that one should proceed with caution. But it's an overstatement to say that most won't see the field. Probably an overstatement even with regard to just the D1 players. But the playing time stats might go up if more people looked at the playing time analysis when choosing a program.

[Unregistered]

Playing time aside, the kids can be proud of having been recruited and then helping themselves get into quality schools because of their combined athletic and academic success.

Yes, playing and being a major contributor would be great. But serious soccer still ends at college for 99% of the college players. I believe that if the team experience improves the college experience, then that is a wonderful thing. Soccer can be their major extra-curricular activity, social group, way to stay in shape, way to travel, etc.

[Unregistered]

Playing time aside, the kids can be proud of having been recruited and then helping themselves get into quality schools because of their combined athletic and academic success.

Yes, playing and being a major contributor would be great. But serious soccer still ends at college for 99% of the college players. I believe that if the team experience improves the college experience, then that is a wonderful thing. Soccer can be their major extra-curricular activity, social group, way to stay in shape, way to travel, etc.

Totally agree. Unfortunately it often doesn't end well for many players - as the analysis on these commitment threads has shown. It can be a rough transition for some when much of their identity has been tied up in athletics most of their young lives. That's why finding the right school fit for academics/social/location etc is so important. Soccer will not be the career path for 99.9999% of players, but if something goes wrong, or they simply decide it's time to move on, they'll have a cushion to fall on if they're at the right school for them.

[Unregistered]

Totally agree. Unfortunately it often doesn't end well for many players - as the analysis on these commitment threads has shown. It can be a rough transition for some when much of their identity has been tied up in athletics most of their young lives. That's why finding the right school fit for academics/social/location etc is so important. Soccer will not be the career path for 99.9999% of players, but if something goes wrong, or they simply decide it's time to move on, they'll have a cushion to fall on if they're at the right school for them.

If only more kids and parents knew this sooner, esp. those considering D2/D3.
Some get it, many others search for soccer first, school second.

[Unregistered]

D1

Nathan Plano-Bolts-Reading HS-Brown
Sam Hatem-FC Stars-Worcester Academy-Columbia
Cole Venner-Black Rock-Berkshire-UConn
Matthew Ranieri-Revs-Nobles&Greenough-Dartmouth
Wilhelm Jacques-Bolts-Medford-Duke
Rory Conway-Bolts-Brookline-Harvard
Max Benford-Aztec-Ipswich-Holy Cross
Edi Mujan-Bolts-Revere-Holy Cross
Justin Rennicks-Revs-Hamilton/Wenham-Indiana
Trey Miller-Revs-Monson-Louisville
Ben Ludwick-FC Stars-Acton/Boxborough-PC
Alex Shterenberg-Revs-Westwood-Michigan St
Nicholas Woodruff-Revs-Attleborough-Michigan St
Jonathan Wolf-NEFC-Worcester Academy-UNH*
Adama Kaba-Hammer-St Sebastian- Northeastern
Noah Abrams-Manhattan-Berkshire-Northeastern
Edward Walsh-Revs-Westwood-Xavier

D3

Jack O'Brien-Revs-Milton Academy-Amherst
Justin Miranda-Aztec-Winchester-Connecticut College
Ryan Horan-GPS-Norwell-Franklin & Marshall
Liam Thor-Blackrock FC-Berkshire-Kenyon
Andy Manos-GPS-NMH-Saint Lawrence
Jamie Marden-Aztec-Marblehead-Trinity College (CT)
Quentin van der Lee-Black Rock-Berkshire-Trinity(Tx)
Mathias Loft-GPS-Cohasset-Union
Nicholas Ranieri-GPS-Nobles&Greenough-Williams

[Unregistered]

If only more kids and parents knew this sooner, esp. those considering D2/D3.
Some get it, many others search for soccer first, school second.

Not the poster but I completely agree. We had a nephew get cut from a top D1 football program. It did not go well since he was at a school below him academically and it was in the middle of nowhere south. Once football was gone he was lost. He eventually got it together and transferred out, but it left a lasting impression on my kids. No matter what level you're looking at school is first. That's all that matters at the end of 4 years.

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Our family approached it a tiny bit different for the kids who wanted to play college soccer. I guess school was first, but soccer was first too. It had to be the right school academically and for soccer. If either didn't fit, it was off the list. No guarantees on the soccer (ever), but you can take a good hard look at everything (including playing time) and improve your chances. Maybe you're a kid who can have a good experience riding the bench for 4 years but that is a unique personality- most in that boat will quit after 2. Lots of things can knock a kid off-track (homesick, girlfriend, too many beers, new coach comes in), but you see kids sometimes and wonder How they could be surprised that the coach was an ass or that they never had a shot at seeing the field.

[Unregistered]

Not the poster but I completely agree. We had a nephew get cut from a top D1 football program. It did not go well since he was at a school below him academically and it was in the middle of nowhere south. Once football was gone he was lost. He eventually got it together and transferred out, but it left a lasting impression on my kids. No matter what level you're looking at school is first. That's all that matters at the end of 4 years.

I generally agree to pick a school that works for you overall ; but you are always jumping in the deep end of the pool going to play somewhere--- whether its D3 or D1--playing time is not guarantee at any level if its a good program and you never know how you will ft in overall at a school. College rosters are big -some as high as 30--kids do transfer --even non -athletes--

[Unregistered]

I generally agree to pick a school that works for you overall ; but you are always jumping in the deep end of the pool going to play somewhere--- whether its D3 or D1--playing time is not guarantee at any level if its a good program and you never know how you will ft in overall at a school. College rosters are big -some as high as 30--kids do transfer --even non -athletes--

Of course kids transfer - but it can mean lost credits (more $), longer to graduate (more $) etc. Sometimes things don't work out in athletics, academics or both. But you can save yourself a lot of headaches if you prioritize what's most important to you. If it is soccer, fine. If it's academics, there's lots of good options out there. Trick is finding one that has both an academic and soccer fit

not the poster

[Unregistered]

D1

Nathan Plano-Bolts-Reading HS-Brown
Sam Hatem-FC Stars-Worcester Academy-Columbia
Cole Venner-Black Rock-Berkshire-UConn
Matthew Ranieri-Revs-Nobles&Greenough-Dartmouth
Wilhelm Jacques-Bolts-Medford-Duke
Rory Conway-Bolts-Brookline-Harvard
Max Benford-Aztec-Ipswich-Holy Cross
Edi Mujan-Bolts-Revere-Holy Cross
Justin Rennicks-Revs-Hamilton/Wenham-Indiana
Trey Miller-Revs-Monson-Louisville
Ben Ludwick-FC Stars-Acton/Boxborough-PC
Alex Shterenberg-Revs-Westwood-Michigan St
Nicholas Woodruff-Revs-Attleborough-Michigan St
Jonathan Wolf-NEFC-Worcester Academy-UNH
Adama Kaba-Hammer-St Sebastian- Northeastern
Noah Abrams-Manhattan-Berkshire-Northeastern
Edward Walsh-Revs-Westwood-Xavier

D3

Jack O'Brien-Revs-Milton Academy-Amherst
Samson Heyer-FC Stars-Amherst HS-Colorado College*
Justin Miranda-Aztec-Winchester-Connecticut College
Liam Donelan-FC Stars-Milton HS-Connecticut College*
Ryan Horan-GPS-Norwell-Franklin & Marshall
Liam Thor-Blackrock FC-Berkshire-Kenyon
Matthew Hyer-FC Stars-Groton Dunstable-Middlebury*
Andy Manos-GPS-NMH-Saint Lawrence
Jamie Marden-Aztec-Marblehead-Trinity College (CT)
Quentin van der Lee-Black Rock-Berkshire-Trinity(TX)
Mathias Loft-GPS-Cohasset-Union
Nicholas Ranieri-GPS-Nobles&Greenough-Williams

[Unregistered]

D1

Nathan Plano-Bolts-Reading HS-Brown
Sam Hatem-FC Stars-Worcester Academy-Columbia
Cole Venner-Black Rock-Berkshire-UConn
Matthew Ranieri-Revs-Nobles&Greenough-Dartmouth
Wilhelm Jacques-Bolts-Medford-Duke
Rory Conway-Bolts-Brookline-Harvard
Max Benford-Aztec-Ipswich-Holy Cross
Edi Mujan-Bolts-Revere-Holy Cross
Justin Rennicks-Revs-Hamilton/Wenham-Indiana
Trey Miller-Revs-Monson-Louisville
Ben Ludwick-FC Stars-Acton/Boxborough-PC
Alex Shterenberg-Revs-Westwood-Michigan St
Nicholas Woodruff-Revs-Attleborough-Michigan St
Jonathan Wolf-NEFC-Worcester Academy-UNH
Adama Kaba-Hammer-St Sebastian- Northeastern
Noah Abrams-Manhattan-Berkshire-Northeastern
Edward Walsh-Revs-Westwood-Xavier

D3

Jack O'Brien-Revs-Milton Academy-Amherst
Samson Heyer-FC Stars-Amherst HS-Colorado College*
Justin Miranda-Aztec-Winchester-Connecticut College
Liam Donelan-FC Stars-Milton HS-Connecticut College*
Ryan Horan-GPS-Norwell-Franklin & Marshall
Liam Thor-Blackrock FC-Berkshire-Kenyon
Matthew Hyer-FC Stars-Groton Dunstable-Middlebury*
Andy Manos-GPS-NMH-Saint Lawrence
Jamie Marden-Aztec-Marblehead-Trinity College (CT)
Quentin van der Lee-Black Rock-Berkshire-Trinity(TX)
Mathias Loft-GPS-Cohasset-Union
Nicholas Ranieri-GPS-Nobles&Greenough-Williams

GPS is not very well represented.

[Unregistered]

GPS is not very well represented.

Why would it be? It's increasingly difficult to land decent D1 spots without DA (or prep school), so GPS will will skew D3. It's also early and D3 lists tend to till out later. The list is only as good as the info that's out there.