By Daniel Susann (@dsus_sus)
After the MLS Super Draft last December, players have the option to go pro or return to the college ranks in the fall and finish out their amateur career before joining the club which drafted them. This season, 37 of 90 draftees opted to return to college soccer, including nine first-round draft picks.
Considering the average salaries for players drafted in the second and third rounds — around $80,000 — it makes sense for players to continue their development at the college level, finish out their degree and pursue possible NIL opportunities.
Here are all the players opting to return to college soccer:
1st Round
10. Colorado Rapids: Mitchell Baker, F, Georgetown (pictured above)
The only athlete out of the Big East to be drafted in the first round in 2026, forward Mitchell Baker puts his MLS career on hold as he returns for his third year at Georgetown. A semifinalist for the Mac Hermann award and earning United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-American honors, Baker netted 14 goals and helped lead the Hoyas to the Elite Eight.
11. Houston Dynamo FC (from SJ): Joe Highfield, F, Portland
The first of two players to be drafted in the first round out of Portland, Joe Highfield returns to the Pilots coming off of an All-American season with 11 goals and five assists. Portland fell in the Elite Eight to Furman 0-1, hosting the Paladins.
13. Real Salt Lake: Lukas Magnason, D, Clemson
The first of four Clemson players drafted in the first round, and one of three set to return in 2026, Magnason was a key cog in the defensive half for the Tigers. Even with all the star power, Clemson struggled last season, in part because Magnason only started 12 matches, but still matched his goal total from 2024 (2 goals).
16. FC Dallas: Niklas Herceg, GK, Vermont
The first goalie drafted in 2026, Niklas Herceg will play his third season for the Catamounts after being drafted to FC Dallas. Herceg allowed 15 goals in 1814 minutes of action, making 55 saves for a save percentage of .789 — good for 26th in Division I.
17. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (from ATX): Zach Ramsey, M, Washington
The second of two Washington players drafted in the first round, Zach Ramsey was a major part of the Huskies national championship run. He returns to Seattle for his third year after earning College Cup Most Outstanding Offensive Player, scoring the opening goal in the national championship match. In 2025, Ramsey netted eight goals and tallied eight assists.
23. Minnesota United FC: Jaylinn Mitchell, F, SMU
The 10th player out of the ACC selected, Jaylinn Mitchell was a part of SMU’s ACC Championship run where the Mustangs took down Wake Forest, Syracuse, No. 2 seed Stanford and No. 1 seed Virginia. He embraced a set-up man role with six assists through the season, while not tallying a goal.
24. LAFC: Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch, D, Princeton
Wearing the arm band at centerback, Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch led the Tigers to a historic season in the defensive half where Princeton gave up just four goals in the regular season and led the NCAA in goals against. He returns to the Tigers for his senior season after earning United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American honors in 2025.
28. San Diego FC: Martin Luala, M, Grand Canyon
Martin Luala returns to Grand Canyon after helping the Antelopes through the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. In 22 starts and 1,864 minutes played, Luala recorded one goal on seven shots and two assists.
29. Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Daniel Lugo, F, High Point
The Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year returns to High Point for his senior season after netting 14 goals and five assists in 2025 through 20 games played. Very notably, Lugo scored seven game-winning goals throughout the season, helping lead High Point to the third round of the NCAA tournament.
2nd Round
31. D.C. United: Isaac Emojong, M, Utah Valley (Transfer to Portland)
33. Real Salt Lake (from MTL): Tre Wright, D, UCLA
35. LA Galaxy: Palmer Bank, D, Stanford
37. St. Louis CITY SC: Andrew Samuels, GK, Princeton
46. CF Montréal (from DAL): Aidan Godinho, M, Georgetown
48. Real Salt Lake (from CHI): Niklas Soerensen, D, Pittsburgh
50. Nashville SC: Max Miller, D, Kentucky
52. Charlotte FC: Luke Adams, D, Tulsa (Transfer to Saint Louis)
53. Minnesota United FC: Bardia Hormozi, F, Princeton
56. Colorado Rapids (from PHI): Asher Hestad, D, Washington
60. Inter Miami CF: Alex Barger, D, Indiana
3rd Round
61. D.C. United: Stephane Njike, F, Maryland (Transfer to Indiana)
62. Atlanta United: Noah James, M, San Diego
63. CF Montréal: Tate Lorentz, M, Wake Forest
64. Sporting Kansas City: Blake D’Agostino, F, California Baptist
66. FC Dallas (from MTL, from TOR): Olayinka Ogunleye, D, Louisville (Tranfer to Portland)
67. Minnesota United FC (from STL): Aiden Bengard, D, Cal State-Fullerton
68. New England Revolution: Kyle McGowan, F, Denver
70. Colorado Rapids: Koven Johnson, M, High Point
71. New York City FC (from SJ): Joey Mueller, M, UCF
72. LA Galaxy (from RBNY): Jaime Amaro, M, Bryant (Transfer to UCLA)
73. Real Salt Lake: Brayden Beason, F, San Francisco
76. San Diego FC (from DAL): Kyle Durham, GK, UConn
81. Seattle Sounders FC: Stockton Short, GK, Utah Tech (Transfer to Washington)
83. Minnesota United FC: Michal Mroz, GK, Evansville (Transfer to Indiana)
84. LAFC: Iain Wagner, M, San Diego
87. New York City FC: Luca Nikolai, D, North Carolina
89. Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Connor Lofy, M, Washington
