ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis head men's soccer coach Kevin Kalish today announced the Billikens' 14-man recruiting class. The five transfers and nine freshmen begin their eligibility with the team this fall. Of the group, five players joined the program in January and took part in team activities during the spring season.
 
Top Drawer Soccer tabbed the Billikens' 2024 class No. 2 in their Men's DI Recruiting Rankings, which was released April 30. That comes on the heels of a No. 1 ranking for the 2023 class.
 
"We are incredibly excited to welcome our 2024 recruiting class to Saint Louis," Kalish said. "We believe each of these young men reflect the pillars of our program: character, teamwork and fighting spirit, and will add to our team culture on and off the field.
 
"Assistant coaches Kevin Stoll, Jack Roberts and Carlos Tofern have done an outstanding job once again of putting together a class that fills the needs of the 2024 team, while also building for the future," Kalish said. "We believe we have assembled a collection of individuals that provide our team with talent, added experience, strong leadership and also increased depth within our roster.
 
"We look forward to continuing to compete for championships in the years ahead and watch these young men flourish as student-athletes who excel in the classroom and in the community," Kalish said. "We are excited to welcome them and their families to the Billiken family!"

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Draven Barnett
Springfield, Mo. 
Midfielder
(Temple University)

• 2022 AAC All-Rookie Team
• 2022 Philly Soccer Six All-Rookie Team

Kalish on Barnett:
 
"We were extremely excited when we saw Draven on the transfer portal as we were very familiar with him from his time in Springfield, Mo., and playing for Sporting KC. He is a one-of-a-kind player who has the ability to play multiple positions on the field. Draven reminds me a lot of a Tyler Adams type of player. He is extremely athletic and possesses an explosive first step that allows him to dominate on both sides of the ball. With that said, Draven's personality, demeanor and drive are what sets him apart from his peers. He fits our culture perfectly, will be a fantastic teammate in our locker room and will be someone we can trust when it matters most."
 
Barnett on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose SLU because I believe that the culture, talented players, and success-driven coaches provides an environment that I want to be a part of and will help me reach both the teams and my own personal goals." 
 
Other schools considered: Pitt, Wake Forest, St. John's

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Jackson Delkus
St. Louis, Mo. 
Forward
(Chaminade & Laurel Springs School / St Louis City SC)

• 2024 Ranked #1 ranked player in the nation, Prep Soccer 
• Class of 2024 #1 ranked player in the Heartland, Top Drawer Soccer 
• National Honor Society Member

Kalish on Delkus:
 
"Jackson is a powerful attacker with incredible speed and a high work rate who can make plays in the attacking half of the field. Both St. Louis CITY and St. Louis Scott Gallagher have done an amazing job providing a top-level environment for him to grow and develop in. I have watched Jackson for the majority of his youth career and he is an intense competitor who thrives under the spotlight. He has the ability to be a game changer over his college career and we are proud that he will be wearing SAINT LOUIS across his chest."
 
Delkus on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"Saint Louis is where I am from, I love being here, and there is no better place in the country to play soccer." 
 
Other schools considered: UVA
 
Delkus Highlight Video

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Connor Dillman
Springfield, Ill.
Goalkeeper
(Sacred Heart Griffin / Saint Louis Scott Gallagher)

• Two-Time St. Louis Scott Gallagher Living Legacy award for humility
• National Honor Society Member

Kalish on Dillman:
 
"Connor has shown fantastic dedication and commitment towards his development as a player during his time with St. Louis Scott Gallagher. He is a goalkeeper with great shot stopping ability and an exciting future ahead of him. Off the field, Connor is a great student and a person who is always striving to make an impact in the community."
 
Dillman on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose SLU because of the soccer program's strong history and tradition, the team culture, and the academic quality of the University." 
 
Other schools considered: UPenn, Georgetown, SIUE, Xavier
 
Dillman Highlight Video

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Drake Fournier
Leander, Texas
Midfielder
(University of Texas High School / Austin FC)

• Top Drawer Soccer 4 Star Recruit
• 2024 Ranked #89 ranked player in the nation, Top Drawer Soccer
• 2024 Ranked #9 ranked player in Texas, Top Drawer Soccer

Kalish on Fournier:
 
"We are excited to bring Drake into our team culture and locker room. He is another versatile player who can play multiple positions on the field at a very high level, but what struck us most about Drake as we watched him play for Austin FC was his winning mentality. He has the ability to influence games through his passion and personality."
 
Fournier on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose SLU because of the culture within the team and atmosphere in and around the program. I felt a great connection with the coaching staff, players and University." 
 
Other schools considered: Denver, Kentucky, SMU, Clemson, UVA
 
Fournier Highlight Video

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Andrew Heckenlaible
Ankeny, Iowa
Forward
(Ankeny Centennial High School / VSA Rush & Minnesota United)

• 2023 1st Team All-State
• 2023 1st Team ECNL Heartland All-Conference

Kalish on Heckenlaible:
 
"Andrew first caught our eye at one of our Billiken Prospect Camps. After following up and watching him play in the ECNL and then for Minnesota United in MLSNext, we had no doubt that he would be a great fit for our team. He is a tenacious attacker who defends well against the ball and has the ability to beat players 1v1 and stretch the game."
 
Heckenlaible on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose Saint Louis because the program constantly competes amongst the best in the nation. I immediately felt a connection with the coaching staff, and felt incredibly supported throughout the recruiting process."
 
Other schools considered: Drake, Omaha, Tulsa, Wisconsin
 
Heckenlaible Highlight Video

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Gershon Henry
Portage, Mich.
Defender
(Salt Lake Academy / Real Salt Lake)

• 2022 MLS Next All Star
• U18 Finland National Team
• Class of 2024 #28 Ranked Player, Top Drawer Soccer 

Kalish on Henry:
 
"Gershon has some tremendous experience playing internationally with USA and Finland, and also in a professional environment with Real Monarchs. We were excited to bring him back to the Midwest for his collegiate career where he can be closer to home. Gershon is a modern day left-footed defender who has extraordinary passing ability and athleticism. He has a positive attitude and professional mindset that will influence our team culture for years to come."
 
Henry on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"SLU Men's Soccer has a winning program and a history that I wanted to be part of. I picked Saint Louis University because it felt like home to me." 
 
Other schools considered: Michigan, Portland 
 
Henry Highlight Video

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Xavier Holloway
Apex, N.C.
Midfielder
(Crossroads Flex High School / North Carolina FC)

• 2022 ECNL All Conference First Team
• 2022 ECNL National Training Camp Attendee
• National Honor Society Member

Kalish on Holloway:
 
"I first saw Xavier at an ECNL event playing for North Carolina FC and was immediately drawn to his grit, tenacity, and overall blue-collar attitude. Xavier is another player that we felt added a lot to the team due to his ability to play multiple roles. His athleticism, tackling ability and tough mentality aligns with our style of play at Saint Louis."
 
Holloway on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose Saint Louis because of the coaching staff throughout my recruiting process. They made me feel welcome and valued me as both a player and as a person." 
 
Other schools considered: Maryland, Pitt, UNC Charlotte, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro
 
Holloway Highlight Video

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Luis Lara
Mexico City, Mexico
Forward
(Stetson University)

• 2023 Named #86 on Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 College Soccer Player Rankings
• 2023 First Team All-ASUN
• 2023 Academic All-ASUN

Kalish on Lara:
 
"Luis has proven over the last four years that he can be an elite attacker in NCAA Division I. He is an intelligent, hard-working forward who will lead the front line with his pressing, while also having the ability to create and score goals. Luis is an elusive attacker who can beat you off the dribble, play in combination and play in between the lines. Off the field, his contagious personality will be a valuable piece to our locker room and culture."
 
Lara on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose SLU because of the immense history of the program and its players. I felt like it was the best place for me to further my playing career and the ambition of the coaching staff and team showed that." 
 
Other schools considered: Boston College
 
Lara Highlight Video

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Jaxson Lee
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Defender
(Westmoore High School / Oklahoma City Energy FC) 

• 2023 Oklahoma Soccer Defensive Player of the Year
• Top Drawer Soccer 3 Star Recruit

Kalish on Lee:

"Jaxson was a standout performer at one of our 2023 Billiken Prospect camps. Throughout the recruiting process he showed tremendous determination and desire to play his college soccer here at SLU. As a central defender, Jaxson has great defensive instincts and physical attributes that we feel will allow him to develop into a very good college soccer player over his time in Saint Louis."

Lee on why he chose Saint Louis:
 
"I chose SLU because of the rich history of success on the field, as well as the awesome atmosphere at games and the soccer culture in the City of Saint Louis!" 
 
Other schools considered: University of Central Arkansas

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Tiago Lopes
Porto, Portugal
Midfielder
(Campbell University)
 
• 2022 Big South Conference Second Team
• 2023 Big South Conference Honorable Mention

Kalish on Lopes:

"Tiago comes highly recommended from Campbell University, where he was a former teammate of Diego Konincks. Tiago is a no-nonsense center midfielder who can influence games with his ball winning ability, aerial dominance and stamina. He will provide a great balance to our center midfield with these defensive skills, as well as his composure and quality in possession. Tiago is an intense competitor who we are excited to have wearing a Billiken jersey for 2024."  
 
Lopes on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose Saint Louis because of the history of success, the sense of trust given to me by the coaches, and the belief that this program is the best path for my future."
 
Other schools considered: UNC Chapel Hill
 
Lopes Highlight Video

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Joey Maher
Caseyville, Ill.
Defender
(Indiana University) 

• Two-time NCAA College Cup (2021, 2022)
• Two-time Big Ten Tournament & Regular Season Champion (2021, 2023)
• 2024 MLS SuperDraft 30th Overall Pick - Toronto FC

Kalish on Maher:
 
"Our staff has known Joey and his family for quite some time dating back to his days playing for St. Louis Scott Gallagher and Saint Louis FC. Joey is a player who makes everyone around him better due to his overall leadership and ability to connect with people. Joey will be the best center back in college soccer next season.  He has shown an extraordinary ability to organize and set his teams up to win games throughout his career. Joey's success at Indiana over the last four years speaks for itself, and we are thrilled to have him represent his hometown in his final year of college soccer."
 
Maher on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I feel like we have a group here at SLU that can achieve great successes this fall, and that over the past couple of years Coach Kalish and the guys have built the foundations for a special season and I can't wait to be part of it!"

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Braydon Sellers
Saint Charles, Mo.
Midfielder
(Whitfield High School / St. Louis City SC) 

• 2023 Boys Class 3, Region 2 Offensive Player of the year.
• 2022 Professional debut for St. Louis City 2. 
• USYNT Regional Training Camp.
• Generation Adidas Cup U17 MLS Next Best XI

Kalish on Sellers:
 
"Braydon is a player who fits SLU in so many ways. Off the field, he is a driven student who wants to excel in the classroom, and on the field he has a passion to win that separates himself from his peers. Braydon has tremendous vision and attacking ability when he runs at the opponent's back line and is willing to roll up his sleeves and do the work that is needed to be a successful team. Lastly, what impressed us about Braydon was the pride he has for his hometown and how he embraces the expectations and responsibility to help a team achieve special things."
 
Sellers on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"The coaching staff, the team culture, and the top-tier academics drew me to SLU. But most importantly, the opportunity to represent my hometown on a national stage, and try to make our city proud!" 
 
Other schools considered: Indiana, Notre Dame, UVA, Wake Forest
 
Sellers Highlight Video

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Zach Stanton
Imperial, Mo.
Defender
(Seckman High School / St. Louis City SC)

• Class of 2024 #7 ranked player in the Heartland, Top Drawer Soccer
• 2021, 2020 & 2019 USYNT Regional ID Camp
• St. Louis City SC Captain U21, U17 & 16

Kalish on Stanton:
 
"We have watched Zach throughout his career at Billiken Camps and playing for STL City SC and we believe he can be a top defender in college soccer. Zach is a left-footed center back with great calmness and composure in possession. He has tremendous leadership potential and we believe his best days are ahead of him. We are thrilled to keep St. Louis' best players at home in Billiken Blue."
 
Stanton on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose SLU because it's where high academics meet a rich soccer legacy. I always envisaged my journey taking me to SLU, and I believe that with this team and coaching staff, it's a path that will lead to success both on and off the field." 
 
Other schools considered: Army West Point, Harvard, Penn, Wisconsin.
 
Stanton Highlight Video

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Nate Ward
Connellsville, Pa.
Forward
(Indiana University) 

• Top Drawer Soccer High School All-American
• Two-time NCAA College Cup (2021, 2022)
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten (2021, 2022)

Kalish on Ward:
 
"Nate's situation was somewhat unexpected as he intended to move to St. Louis to begin working at Edward Jones. After a number of discussions, we were able to make it work for him to play his last year of eligibility at SLU and help this team win championships. Over Nate's career, he has started in an NCAA National Final and been a main contributor on some quality Indiana teams. We believe Nate's work ethic, attitude and overall experience will be an important asset to this 2024 Billiken team."
 
Ward on why he chose Saint Louis: 
 
"I chose Saint Louis University because it provided me the opportunity to continue my playing career for an incredible program with great people!"