Clemson’s run to defend the crown ended on a cold night in overtime at Wake Forest on Dec. 1. The dominant run of 10-0-2 to the Sweet 16 ended with finishing issues raising its head at the unfortunate time.
Just three of the twelve shots against Wake were on goal and in the last three games, Clemson – which had raised its shot accuracy to .500 during the unbeaten streak – had just a .304 shot accuracy in its last three games, which would rank dead last in the country.
At least Fletcher Banks and Stanford won’t win the title either.
The Tigers ended the 2024 season 15-3-4, which is nearly identical to the 15-3-5 record that the 2023 National Title team had. Round of applause for the senior class that went 59-18-12 with two national titles in four years.
Those that were honored on senior night were: Galen Flynn (R-Jr), Jackson Wrobel (Sr.), captain Joran Gerbet (Sr), Antonio Illuminato (Gr), Mason Lamb (Sr), captain Adam Lundegard (R-Jr), leading scorer Alex Meinhard (Gr) and junior Patrick Donovan (Jr). Graduate student Titus Sandy Jr. was not on that list, however. Not sure why unless he still has a super senior year?
So, that’s a start for who we will have to replace, even if some still have eligibility left. The complete list of eligible players for the MLS Superdraft on Dec. 20 will be announced on Dec. 19 (there’s also one that comes out on Dec. 10?). The MLS opened up the draft last year for the first time for sophomores, which join the pool of juniors, seniors, and Generation Adidas signees (can be freshmen).
<Sidebar>How the MLS operates is redamndiculous. The list of eligible players is asinine – it could even include players that have already played in the MLS! Also, there is an expansion draft that San Diego FC will get to select five players from that comes out on Dec. 10 – is that the full list? Who knows. I don’t think anyone knows. Apparently, each of the current 29 (there are that many bad teams?!?) teams can protect 12 players, but the rest are able to be picked by San Diego? What is happening.</sidebar>
From what I can find, that Generation Adidas list has not been released yet, nor the eligible draft players for the MLS. However, in addition to the eight players listed above, I would expect junior Tyler Trimnal to being on the eligible list (he was last year as a sophomore).
Others to keep an eye out for would be Remi Okunlola, Nathan Richmond (drafted in third round this year, missed most of the season this year with a back injury), Misei Yoshizawa and keeper Joseph Andema (hurt late in season, missed postseason).
Obviously, another way that players can leave is the transfer portal. The good news there is that Clemson is a team people want to get to, not leave. Last year, we had forward Isaiah Easley transfer to San Francisco after his sophomore year and midfielder Elton Chifamba transfer to Syracuse right before the NCAA tournament in his junior year.
Coach Noonan brought in four transfers to this year’s team.
Purely speculating, but Donovan could transfer for playing time, if Andema is back and healthy? He showed his worth being thrown into the fire. But I wouldn’t expect any of the core players to transfer.
Which brings us to the last way a player can leave a collegiate soccer team: the United Soccer League and other professional leagues/teams. This is how the 2024 team lost the best centerback in the 2023 college season – freshman Pape Mar Boye – and sophomore wingback Shawn Smart. Both key figures that, with them this year, I don’t know if we ever lose.
There is zero blame to those two in signing professionally – have zero issue with it. Many dream of it, so go get it.
However, if you’re a Clemson fan and you look at the roster, the USL (or other leagues) coming in might be the biggest concern. The trio of freshmen starters - Lukas Magnason, Ransford Gyan and Wahabu Musah – could be offered a contract and there’s nothing Clemson could do to prevent them from signing (nor do I think Clemson would).
Again, will never hold it against them for signing professionally. And for reference, Mar Boye signed his contract in January, Smart signed his in February – so it might be a few months before we know.
But, if you’re keeping count, that’s 14 players listed above that could theoretically be gone before next season. Obviously, all 14 won’t be gone, just trying to paint a picture of what could happen to the 2025 roster.
So, about that 2025 roster… while a lot is still to be determined and assuredly transfers will come in, here’s a look at the signing class so far (the signing period is open until August 5 and these players could be signed to professional contract as well, but not drafted):
Well, Asante might be even better. This Youtube video calls his a Wonderkid from Ghana – so we’d have the Ghanian Messi (Gyan) and the Ghanian Wonderkid. That video is a couple years old as well. You may like this wondergoal too.
Hineline, a CAM, played in Brazil until 2018. He’s a member of the Real Colorado MLS Next Academy. Highlight tape is legit! He and Sevian will be playing in the High School All-American game at Wando High School on Dec. 14.
Streelman is a member of the Atlanta United FC Academy. Was difficult to find any info on him, however.
Raintree is a member of the SCUFC ECNL 07 team and was a member of the 2023 4A All-State team from Aiken High School.
Sevian led the Boulder High Soccer team to a 17-1-1 record (only loss was in the state semifinals) and was fourth in the state with 74 points (24 goals, 26 assists!). I think his highlights show why he was included in the All-America game.
Mane was the only 2025 player on the 2023 SIMA Gold team that also featured Musah and Boye. Not much video out there that I could find, but I think he’s a strong player that will be contributing in 2025.
Hineline, Streelman, Raintree and Sevian are all ranked three-stars by Top Drawer Soccer, with Sevian coming in at No. 170 overall. At least 41 players ranked higher are going pro.
So, why aren’t Mane and Asante ranked? TopDrawerSoccer.com ranks players based on their ability within their graduating class, not against players older or younger than them. SIMA players may not be ranked on TopDrawerSoccer.com because they are not competing against players in their graduating class.
In talking with a college coach in South Carolina, he gave me a quick rundown of how Monteverde Academy works. They aren’t tied to “high school” rules of age as they do not play a high school schedule, so some/most of the foreign players that come in might be older. Here is a synopsis of SIMA from the website.
Past and current players that have played for SIMA: Philip Mayaka (3rd overall pick in MLS Superdraft in 2021), Ousmane Sylla (Hermann Trophy winner), Hamady Diop (1st overall pick in 2023 MLS Superdraft), Shawn Smart (signed by USL’s Las Vegas Lights), Andema, Yoshizawa (via Virginia Tech), Mar Boye (signed by USL’s Phoenix Rising FC), and Musah. Clemson also had a commitment from Leslie Okai in last year’s class, but he signed with Valencia CF before enrolling. Just imagine him on this year’s team.
So, yeah. Keep them coming!
As far as incoming transfers, I’d expect us to target a few once we see the damage the draft, transfer season and pro signings have. The window is open from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, and then May 1 to May 15. As of Dec. 3, there are only five in the portal, and four were from JUCOs coming up to D1.
Clemson hasn’t brought in a forward through the high school ranks (yet) and Meinhard is leaving. In theory, we’d have Musah, Trimnal and James Kelly for 2025, but no experience behind them. Vitor Geromel – the Gatorade Player of the Year for Kansas – didn’t play in 2024, nor did SC Gatorade Player of the Year Duncan Wilson nor junior Marco Garcia. So, while those players may play key roles in 2025, there’s just a lack of experience there.
<psst> Dean Boltz scored 10 goals this year as a freshman for Wisconsin. Angel Iniguez at San Jose State had 10 goals and seven assists as a junior.</psst>
Defensively, losing Lundegard and maybe Sandy Jr., takes out two of our three centerbacks in Noonan’s preferred 3-back setup. Hanging on to Magnason is pivotal, in my opinion.
<psst>Reid Roberts is a junior at San Francisco and was the WCC Defender of the Year this year. Also, Reid Fisher at SDSU was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last year and first-team All-WAC this year.</psst>
Wingbacks Okunlola and Arthur Duquenne would presumably return for their junior seasons, but we’re losing Flynn to backup Duquenne on the left. Assuming Okunlola and Mason Jimenez return, that’s our 2024 setup on the right side that would be returning.
<psst – it’s me again>Michael Asare, native of Ghana, is probably tired of being cold at BC.</psst>
At the pivot/CM/CDM replacing not just Gerbet, but Illuminato (who would slide in if Gerbet was out) has to take priority. Maybe the freshmen can do it, but goodness that’s a tough spot to learn on the fly. You can’t manifest experience, nor do I think you can just replace Gerbet.
Have to do it in the aggregate or make a big splash with a transfer acquisition.
<psssst>Nick Fernandez at Portland is a two-time All-WCC first-team player with eight goals and 19 assists in 60 games. Isaac Emojong made the All-Freshman WAC team at Utah Valley as a Barca Academy product</psssst>
At the CAMs or inverted wingers, whatever you want to call them, we have Gyan and Yoshizawa back, but little to no experience there behind them. Again, I think the expectation would be some of the freshman come along, but having an experienced transfer to help facilitate the transition wouldn’t be bad.
<one last psst for now>Seydou Diop went from Montverde to Xavier to Iowa Western, but just won the Offensive MVP for the NJCAA D1 Men’s Soccer National Championship – Mar Boye, Musah, Andema, et al, follow him on Instagram.</psst>
At keeper, the hope and expectation is that Andema is back. Aiden Hampton is probably the backup going into camp with Logan Brown and Charlie Reed behind him. Most teams are thin on experience for their backup because, well, the starter usually plays the whole game. Assuming Andema is back, Clemson probably stands pat there.
All the players at other schools I listed are all from schools that didn’t make the tournament. Of the seven transfers that were apart of the 2024 Clemson soccer team, only Gerbet with Oregon State and Meinhard with Tulsa made the tournament in their last year at that school (both in 2022).
@JTJohnston @UrHuckleberry @jbf1981 @leetp @Clem'sSon @Clemson Rag @TigerFlow @CoffeeIsForClosers @BarnwellTiger @Paul Strelow @padtigers @1Clemson @toby_corriston @gooddogjudge @BoomBoom82 @False9 @doodog @Clemsonu90 @Tigerrag864 @ajpbnd @CAPT KIRK @Watson to Renfrow @acwill07 @rocky29670 @Rchitekt @MaxCalifornia @Smiling_Tiger @tiger1995 @moradatiger70 @charlestontiger417 @UNSWERVINGLY @JimTurkey @CU99 @The89Tiger @Spencer_York @Kbouch @JohnstoneF419 @BShealy13 @kingkyle1008 @4thAndSixteen @Hilton Head Tiger @CuTigers2020 @PAWrocka @bigREDDDDD @doodog @KNRTIGER @Beer & Bacon @B4him13 @ClemGuy1979 @MoneMan @XRP589 @rcalwho @WyoTiger @TopGun01 @TigerTC @padtigers @XTIGERK @Maverick369 @jeffcoat @letsgocu @petegroove @jeffcoat @essoclemsontiger @aydenp @Redbull7 @CUPLAYER1 @SWD @TequilasForLoss @wvatiger13 @B4him13 @flipper27
Just three of the twelve shots against Wake were on goal and in the last three games, Clemson – which had raised its shot accuracy to .500 during the unbeaten streak – had just a .304 shot accuracy in its last three games, which would rank dead last in the country.
At least Fletcher Banks and Stanford won’t win the title either.
The Tigers ended the 2024 season 15-3-4, which is nearly identical to the 15-3-5 record that the 2023 National Title team had. Round of applause for the senior class that went 59-18-12 with two national titles in four years.
Those that were honored on senior night were: Galen Flynn (R-Jr), Jackson Wrobel (Sr.), captain Joran Gerbet (Sr), Antonio Illuminato (Gr), Mason Lamb (Sr), captain Adam Lundegard (R-Jr), leading scorer Alex Meinhard (Gr) and junior Patrick Donovan (Jr). Graduate student Titus Sandy Jr. was not on that list, however. Not sure why unless he still has a super senior year?
So, that’s a start for who we will have to replace, even if some still have eligibility left. The complete list of eligible players for the MLS Superdraft on Dec. 20 will be announced on Dec. 19 (there’s also one that comes out on Dec. 10?). The MLS opened up the draft last year for the first time for sophomores, which join the pool of juniors, seniors, and Generation Adidas signees (can be freshmen).
<Sidebar>How the MLS operates is redamndiculous. The list of eligible players is asinine – it could even include players that have already played in the MLS! Also, there is an expansion draft that San Diego FC will get to select five players from that comes out on Dec. 10 – is that the full list? Who knows. I don’t think anyone knows. Apparently, each of the current 29 (there are that many bad teams?!?) teams can protect 12 players, but the rest are able to be picked by San Diego? What is happening.</sidebar>
From what I can find, that Generation Adidas list has not been released yet, nor the eligible draft players for the MLS. However, in addition to the eight players listed above, I would expect junior Tyler Trimnal to being on the eligible list (he was last year as a sophomore).
Others to keep an eye out for would be Remi Okunlola, Nathan Richmond (drafted in third round this year, missed most of the season this year with a back injury), Misei Yoshizawa and keeper Joseph Andema (hurt late in season, missed postseason).
Obviously, another way that players can leave is the transfer portal. The good news there is that Clemson is a team people want to get to, not leave. Last year, we had forward Isaiah Easley transfer to San Francisco after his sophomore year and midfielder Elton Chifamba transfer to Syracuse right before the NCAA tournament in his junior year.
Coach Noonan brought in four transfers to this year’s team.
Purely speculating, but Donovan could transfer for playing time, if Andema is back and healthy? He showed his worth being thrown into the fire. But I wouldn’t expect any of the core players to transfer.
Which brings us to the last way a player can leave a collegiate soccer team: the United Soccer League and other professional leagues/teams. This is how the 2024 team lost the best centerback in the 2023 college season – freshman Pape Mar Boye – and sophomore wingback Shawn Smart. Both key figures that, with them this year, I don’t know if we ever lose.
There is zero blame to those two in signing professionally – have zero issue with it. Many dream of it, so go get it.
However, if you’re a Clemson fan and you look at the roster, the USL (or other leagues) coming in might be the biggest concern. The trio of freshmen starters - Lukas Magnason, Ransford Gyan and Wahabu Musah – could be offered a contract and there’s nothing Clemson could do to prevent them from signing (nor do I think Clemson would).
Again, will never hold it against them for signing professionally. And for reference, Mar Boye signed his contract in January, Smart signed his in February – so it might be a few months before we know.
But, if you’re keeping count, that’s 14 players listed above that could theoretically be gone before next season. Obviously, all 14 won’t be gone, just trying to paint a picture of what could happen to the 2025 roster.
So, about that 2025 roster… while a lot is still to be determined and assuredly transfers will come in, here’s a look at the signing class so far (the signing period is open until August 5 and these players could be signed to professional contract as well, but not drafted):
- Augustine Asante – Montverde Academy – CB
- Cooper Hineline – Denver (Co.) – MF
- Seamus Streelman – Atlanta – D
- Reid Raintree – Aiken – MF
- Xander Sevian – Boulder (Co.) – MF
- Abdou Mane – Montverde Academy – MF
Well, Asante might be even better. This Youtube video calls his a Wonderkid from Ghana – so we’d have the Ghanian Messi (Gyan) and the Ghanian Wonderkid. That video is a couple years old as well. You may like this wondergoal too.
Hineline, a CAM, played in Brazil until 2018. He’s a member of the Real Colorado MLS Next Academy. Highlight tape is legit! He and Sevian will be playing in the High School All-American game at Wando High School on Dec. 14.
Streelman is a member of the Atlanta United FC Academy. Was difficult to find any info on him, however.
Raintree is a member of the SCUFC ECNL 07 team and was a member of the 2023 4A All-State team from Aiken High School.
Sevian led the Boulder High Soccer team to a 17-1-1 record (only loss was in the state semifinals) and was fourth in the state with 74 points (24 goals, 26 assists!). I think his highlights show why he was included in the All-America game.
Mane was the only 2025 player on the 2023 SIMA Gold team that also featured Musah and Boye. Not much video out there that I could find, but I think he’s a strong player that will be contributing in 2025.
Hineline, Streelman, Raintree and Sevian are all ranked three-stars by Top Drawer Soccer, with Sevian coming in at No. 170 overall. At least 41 players ranked higher are going pro.
So, why aren’t Mane and Asante ranked? TopDrawerSoccer.com ranks players based on their ability within their graduating class, not against players older or younger than them. SIMA players may not be ranked on TopDrawerSoccer.com because they are not competing against players in their graduating class.
In talking with a college coach in South Carolina, he gave me a quick rundown of how Monteverde Academy works. They aren’t tied to “high school” rules of age as they do not play a high school schedule, so some/most of the foreign players that come in might be older. Here is a synopsis of SIMA from the website.
Past and current players that have played for SIMA: Philip Mayaka (3rd overall pick in MLS Superdraft in 2021), Ousmane Sylla (Hermann Trophy winner), Hamady Diop (1st overall pick in 2023 MLS Superdraft), Shawn Smart (signed by USL’s Las Vegas Lights), Andema, Yoshizawa (via Virginia Tech), Mar Boye (signed by USL’s Phoenix Rising FC), and Musah. Clemson also had a commitment from Leslie Okai in last year’s class, but he signed with Valencia CF before enrolling. Just imagine him on this year’s team.
So, yeah. Keep them coming!
As far as incoming transfers, I’d expect us to target a few once we see the damage the draft, transfer season and pro signings have. The window is open from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24, and then May 1 to May 15. As of Dec. 3, there are only five in the portal, and four were from JUCOs coming up to D1.
Clemson hasn’t brought in a forward through the high school ranks (yet) and Meinhard is leaving. In theory, we’d have Musah, Trimnal and James Kelly for 2025, but no experience behind them. Vitor Geromel – the Gatorade Player of the Year for Kansas – didn’t play in 2024, nor did SC Gatorade Player of the Year Duncan Wilson nor junior Marco Garcia. So, while those players may play key roles in 2025, there’s just a lack of experience there.
<psst> Dean Boltz scored 10 goals this year as a freshman for Wisconsin. Angel Iniguez at San Jose State had 10 goals and seven assists as a junior.</psst>
Defensively, losing Lundegard and maybe Sandy Jr., takes out two of our three centerbacks in Noonan’s preferred 3-back setup. Hanging on to Magnason is pivotal, in my opinion.
<psst>Reid Roberts is a junior at San Francisco and was the WCC Defender of the Year this year. Also, Reid Fisher at SDSU was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year last year and first-team All-WAC this year.</psst>
Wingbacks Okunlola and Arthur Duquenne would presumably return for their junior seasons, but we’re losing Flynn to backup Duquenne on the left. Assuming Okunlola and Mason Jimenez return, that’s our 2024 setup on the right side that would be returning.
<psst – it’s me again>Michael Asare, native of Ghana, is probably tired of being cold at BC.</psst>
At the pivot/CM/CDM replacing not just Gerbet, but Illuminato (who would slide in if Gerbet was out) has to take priority. Maybe the freshmen can do it, but goodness that’s a tough spot to learn on the fly. You can’t manifest experience, nor do I think you can just replace Gerbet.
Have to do it in the aggregate or make a big splash with a transfer acquisition.
<psssst>Nick Fernandez at Portland is a two-time All-WCC first-team player with eight goals and 19 assists in 60 games. Isaac Emojong made the All-Freshman WAC team at Utah Valley as a Barca Academy product</psssst>
At the CAMs or inverted wingers, whatever you want to call them, we have Gyan and Yoshizawa back, but little to no experience there behind them. Again, I think the expectation would be some of the freshman come along, but having an experienced transfer to help facilitate the transition wouldn’t be bad.
<one last psst for now>Seydou Diop went from Montverde to Xavier to Iowa Western, but just won the Offensive MVP for the NJCAA D1 Men’s Soccer National Championship – Mar Boye, Musah, Andema, et al, follow him on Instagram.</psst>
At keeper, the hope and expectation is that Andema is back. Aiden Hampton is probably the backup going into camp with Logan Brown and Charlie Reed behind him. Most teams are thin on experience for their backup because, well, the starter usually plays the whole game. Assuming Andema is back, Clemson probably stands pat there.
All the players at other schools I listed are all from schools that didn’t make the tournament. Of the seven transfers that were apart of the 2024 Clemson soccer team, only Gerbet with Oregon State and Meinhard with Tulsa made the tournament in their last year at that school (both in 2022).
@JTJohnston @UrHuckleberry @jbf1981 @leetp @Clem'sSon @Clemson Rag @TigerFlow @CoffeeIsForClosers @BarnwellTiger @Paul Strelow @padtigers @1Clemson @toby_corriston @gooddogjudge @BoomBoom82 @False9 @doodog @Clemsonu90 @Tigerrag864 @ajpbnd @CAPT KIRK @Watson to Renfrow @acwill07 @rocky29670 @Rchitekt @MaxCalifornia @Smiling_Tiger @tiger1995 @moradatiger70 @charlestontiger417 @UNSWERVINGLY @JimTurkey @CU99 @The89Tiger @Spencer_York @Kbouch @JohnstoneF419 @BShealy13 @kingkyle1008 @4thAndSixteen @Hilton Head Tiger @CuTigers2020 @PAWrocka @bigREDDDDD @doodog @KNRTIGER @Beer & Bacon @B4him13 @ClemGuy1979 @MoneMan @XRP589 @rcalwho @WyoTiger @TopGun01 @TigerTC @padtigers @XTIGERK @Maverick369 @jeffcoat @letsgocu @petegroove @jeffcoat @essoclemsontiger @aydenp @Redbull7 @CUPLAYER1 @SWD @TequilasForLoss @wvatiger13 @B4him13 @flipper27
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