ward, charlie
RESPARZA COLLECTIVE

Men's Soccer

Ward Announces 2025 Millikin Men's Soccer Recruiting Class

"As I announce this class I think it is incredibly important to acknowledge the contributions of those who helped shape this recruiting class and make Millikin a place that these fantastic young men have chosen to bring their talents too! The work of my assistant coaches over the past year has been phenomenal in helping identify, scout and host these young men. Showing them what being a Millikin student athlete is about both on and off the field has been important. Whilst we have gone through some changes on our coaching staff over the last year Coaches Paquette, Phillips and as of January Coach Higgins have all played a vital role in what this class looks like!"
    - Charlie Ward, Head Men's Soccer Coach

Ryder Ramson- Jacksonville, NC
Carolina Velocity FC & White Oak HS
Ryder is a young man who stood out to me in the entire recruiting process as someone who wants to strives to learn in his environment. He shows the passion and drive that we love in our program. Ryder has ties to Central Illinois and we feel that he will be able to contribute to our team success on and off the field.

Gregory Frazier- Mt. Zion, Il
Mt. Zion HS
Greg continues a line of Mt. Zion players who found a home here at Millikin. We expect Greg to take some time to adapt to the college game, but he has a number of attributes that we feel will help him make that transition in his freshman year. He has the positive attitude and willingness to work hard that we want in all of our student athletes.

Blake Helvey- Overland Park, KS
Sporting Blue Valley & Rockhurst HS
I had the pleasure of working with Blake over the summer of 2024 and I quickly identified him as a player who would fit into our system of play, showing a number of high quality skills we look for as a coaching staff. In my eyes, he is a carbon copy of senior Clayton Gibson and that can only be viewed as a compliment in my eyes! His hard work off the ball and in the defensive side of the game, paired with his natural athleticism and selflessness make him a prime candidate to step into our forward line over the next 4 years. Blake lives and breathes soccer and I am very excited for him to take the next steps in his development with us!

Brandon Robinson- Florissant, MO
Lou Fusz & Hazelwood West HS
Brandon comes from a soccer family. He has grown up with the game and is becoming a young man of great talent as well as great attitude. Brandon is high energy and scrappy on the field. He adds the necessary grit and fight that we need to add competition in our right back position. We have high hopes for want he can achieve with us in the CCIW.
 
 Mikkel Opdahl
Jevnaker FC
Mikkel comes to us from Norway, a country where we have had success in the past. He has a great soccer brain and the skills to move the ball with both feet. He ticks a lot of the boxes that we ask of our midfield group and believe he could help us from Day 1.

Devin Smith
Chicagoland SC & Marian Catholic
Devin is small, technical and very shifty central midfielder. He is an exciting player and that was evident when we identified him as a player we wanted to sign. He brings a different dynamic to an area that we wanted to add competition into .We look forward to seeing him adapt to the college game but fully believe he can light up Frank M. Lindsay in the years to come.

Luke Butler
Lou Fusz & Kirkwood HS
Luke brings a different profile to the other freshman joining the class. He has a physical presence and composure of someone beyond his years. Luke had a lot of interest from other programs of all levels so we delighted he chose to join us. Whilst we look to play at a high tempo, Luke brings us a calming presence that will help us slow down and control the game when needed. Luke will also being showing out for our Golf team so we look forward to supporting his endeavors out on the course.

Mason Moore
Metro Alliance & Belleville East HS
Mason was a player that largely went under the radar during his high school career. Finding himself playing a range of different positions potentially hindered his overall recruitment. We see his versatility as a great upside and believe with time to adjust to the physicality of the collegiate game, Mason will be an asset to our class with this technical skills and ability to read the game.

Kyle Grasse
Sockers FC & William Fremd HS
Kyle is a very dangerous attacking player. His ability to isolate defenders and beat them inside or out will make him a very dangerous CCIW player. He gives us another option for our forward line and was a highly sought after player. He represents the kind of student athlete we want Millikin soccer to be associated with.  
 
 Alex Kannow
Upper Iowa & George Fox University
Alex is a player I recruited as a freshman during our time in Iowa and when we heard he was on the move he was someone I was very excited to work with again. He knows how we want to do something and that knowledge will help him hit the ground running. He hasn't played as much as he would have liked over the last 2 years so he'll come in with the chip on his shoulder looking to showcase what we can do.

Eithan Shay
Northeastern JC
Eithan is someone I am very excited to have as part of our roster. He has the ability to play in multiple spots across our back line. He will add some needed experience from his year of junior college in Colorado. He featured in 12 games as a center back, recording 1 assist against Gillette College. Eithan has a great soccer background, comes from a wonderful family and I am truly excited to welcome him and his family to campus in a few weeks time.

Javan Grooms
Lake Erie
Javan is another physical presence that will solidify our backline from day 1. He has had an excellent soccer education under Louie Rolko and his staff the past 2 years and I am very excited to see him impact us with his knowledge and experience from a high level program. Javan's profile can definitely be considered a 'unicorn' so to wrap up someone of his talents and see him playing Big Blue soccer is massive for us.

Rodrigo Chavez- Miami, FL
Northland College
Rodri joins us from Northland College, WI who unfortunately closed down this year. Rodri led DIII soccer in saves and saves per game with 192 saves in 17 games with a save percentage of 67%! He brings high level competition to our goalkeeping group his experience in Wisconsin have shaped him to a much more confident and resilient individual. We expect him to challenge for our #1 spot from the start.
 
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Players Mentioned

Clayton Gibson

#10 Clayton Gibson

M
6' 0"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Clayton Gibson

#10 Clayton Gibson

6' 0"
Junior
M