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2016 MLS Draft Defenseman Rankings

Posted By: Chris Ransom

Last Updated: January 9, 2015 Following Our monthly 2016 MLS Draft

These will be our initial rankings for the defenseman in the 2016 MLS Draft. These rankings will be adjusted as the season progresses.

Joshua Yaro, D, Georgetown Projected Round Top 5 Pick Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-11 165 lb Joshua Yaro did well in 2015. He missed the beginning of the season, but was aces for the rest of the season upon returning.

Joshua Yaro got injured in Georgetown's road loss against Southern Florida on August 31st. He did not return until September 20th against West Virginia. Georgetown went 12-0-1 in 2015 when Yaro returned to the lineup with 9 shutouts as a junior with 6 shutouts in a row. The only loss came to Boston College in penalty kicks during the 2015 College Cup.

Yaro will have his bachelors degree at the end of the Fall Semester in 2015. He turned down a Generation Adidas offer to return to school in 2015 last season. Yaro would have gone first overall last year. There's no way Yaro turns down another GA offer if he gets his education.

Yaro is one of the most complete center backs on tape to enter the MLS Super Draft in quite some time. He has missed time with injuries in 2013, 2014, and 2015. There may be some durability concerns, but they are minor durability concerns because Yaro returned from a broken arm in 2013 before injuring his knee in the 2014 College Cup after playing every game in the regular season, Yaro sat out with this injury from the 2014 College Cup until September 20th.

Most center backs are 6-0 or taller. With Yaro at 5-11 165 lbs, there is an outside chance the Fire may start him at right back by moving him to the outside like the New England Revolution did when they took Andrew Farrell with the first pick in the 2013 MLS Super Draft. Yaro dominated on the first day of the 2016 MLS Combine, so he may get to play center back in the MLS despite his size.

Before 2015

Georgetown had 12 shutouts during Yaro's freshman season at center back before they posted 10 shutouts in 2014 during Yaro's sophomore season. Yaro is the top prospect heading into the 2016 MLS Draft after turning down a Generation Adidas Deal in 2015.
Brandon Vincent, D, Stanford Projected Round Top 5 Pick Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-11 175 lb Brandon Vincent helped Stanford get 10 shutouts in 2015 while anchoring a back line that only allowed 15 goals in 2015. Vincent is a natural left back with the versatility to play center back or right back in the MLS. Vincent went 5/6 on penalty kicks in 2015 and gives you someone on defense that can defend and score if called upon in the penalty shootout.

Vincent dominated Day 1 of the 2016 MLS Combine with his stellar play at left back. Being teammates with Joshua Yaro on Team X gave Vincent a lot of confidence. Vincent was named a Generation Adidas candidate despite being a senior. That tells you how highly teams think of him.

Before 2015

Brandon Vincent started at center back right away during his first two seasons. Vincent made tremendous improvement in 2014 when Stanford moved him to left back. Vincent dominated at left back in 2014 and scored 6 goals that season.
Jonathan Campbell, D, North Carolina Projected Round Top 5 Pick Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-2 188 lb Jonathan Campbell had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 27 points in 2015. Campbell was a four-year starter at center back for North Carolina dating back to his freshman season. Campbell did well on Day 1 of the 2016 MLS Combine. Campbell looks like a top 5 pick when you consider he has more experience than Yaro or Vincent at center back along with the fact that Campbell is big enough to be a center back in the MLS.

Before 2015

Jonathan Campbell started at center back right away as a true freshman just like Joshua Yaro. That tells you how valuable he's been to North Carolina soccer. When Walker Hume got fatigued or benched it was Campbell that stepped up with his clutch play on defense.
Jordan McCrary, D, North Carolina Projected Round Top 10 Pick Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-9 165 lb Jordan McCrary has the versatility to play defensive midfielder, left back, center back, or right back. McCrary played left back once again after being redshirted in 2014. McCrary recorded 5 assists in 2015.

McCrary started at right back on Day 1 of the 2016 MLS Combine. McCrary played left back at North Carolina, but projects as a right back at the MLS. McCrary has the versatility to play both left back and right back and that makes him a highly coveted prospect.

Before 2015

Jordan McCrary was a five star recruit in high school before committing to North Carolina. He was that highly regarded coming out of Lassiter High School. McCrary won Gatorade Player Of The Year in the state of Georgia and started for the U.S. Under 15 and U.S. Under 18 teams coming out of high school.

McCrary got named North Carolina's starting left back right away as a freshman in 2011. McCrary started 25 games on the back line as a true freshman for the Tar Heels missing only one game with a red card. That red card he got as a freshman was the only red card in his entire career at North Carolina.

In 2012, North Carolina's defense led the nation in shutout percentage. McCrary got 22 starts under his belt at left back as a sophomore.

In 2013, McCrary started all 19 games. In 2014, he suffered a preseason injury. McCrary needs to start at least 20 games in 2015 in order to put any durability concerns about him to rest. McCrary can be a talented outside back in the MLS.
Keegan Rosenberry, D, Georgetown Projected Round Top 10 Pick Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-8 160 lb Keegan Rosenberry has the versatility to play defensive midfielder, left back, center back, or right back. Rosenberry was a four year starter at right back for Georgetown despite having that versatility coming out of high school.

Rosenberry had 2 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points in 2015. Rosenberry was third on Georgetown with 20 shots on goal in 2015. Rosenberry has the ability of an offensive defender while also having the versatility on defense.

Rosenberry did well at right back for Team Ace in the 2016 MLS Combine. Rosenberry is capable of becoming a great starter at right back in the MLS despite losing to Team X on Day 1 of the 2016 MLS Combine. Rosenberry played well and will develop into a solid starter on the back line.

Before 2015

Keegan Rosenberry is an awesome defender despite being a pure starter at right back for the past three seasons. Rosenberry can dominate on both ends.

In 2012, Georgetown had 10 shutouts in 25 games Rosenberry started. Rosenberry helped Georgetown get 3 assists at right back as a true freshman. Rosenberry had 3 assists once again and helped Georgetown record 12 shutouts as a sophomore in 2013. In 2014, Georgetown had 10 shutouts when Rosenberry was named a team captain for Georgetown. Rosenberry also had a career best 2 goals, 1 assist, and 5 points in 2014. Rosenberry can be a great starter in the MLS if he can build on this as a senior in 2015.
Kyle Fisher, D, Clemson Projected Round Top 10 Pick Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-0 176 lb Kyle Fisher was a 4-year starter at center back at Clemson. Fisher helped Clemson hold opponents to 17 goals in 2015.

Before 2015

Kyle Fisher started at center back every year dating back to middle school in seventh grade. Fisher led his team to 5 consecutive state Championships and got promoted to high school team in eighth grade. Fisher was an immediate starter for Clemson at center back. Fisher has 63 starts at center back in three seasons at Clemson.
Liam Doyle, D, Ohio State Projected Round 1st Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-4 200 lb Liam Doyle stepped up for Ohio State in 2015 after being voted team captain. Doyle had 2 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points in 2015 at center back in 2015.

Doyle has the versatility to play left back, center back, right back, or defensive midfielder. He's great at jumping in the air to block a shot. Sometimes Doyle jumps so high he looks like he's jumping a vertical that Calvin Johnson did at the 2007 NFL Combine. That's how high Doyle can jump on tape.

Doyle lined up at center back in the 2016 MLS Combine. Doyle started over Cole Seller at center back. Doyle had a good first day, but did nothing to boost his stock, but nothing to hurt it either.

Before 2015

Liam Doyle had 8 goals and 10 assists in 2012 at Cincinnati State before having 13 goals, 13 assists, and 39 points at Cincinnati State as a midfielder.

After thriving as a playmaker at Cincinnati State, Doyle had to adjust to center back at Ohio State. Doyle had 5 goals, 2 assists, and 12 points in 2014. Doyle also lined up at left back, right back, and defensive midfielder for Ohio State. Doyle could be a first round prospect with a strong 2015 season.
Zach Carroll, D, Michigan State Projected Round 1st Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-3 187 lb Zach Carroll had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 6 points in 2015. Carroll is better at blocking shots and stealing the ball than any defender in the draft. Carroll plays reckless at times and got 4 yellow cards in 2015 for Michgian State.

Carroll channelled his aggressive nature at the 2016 MLS Combine. Carroll had a quality game and played like a late first round pick. He needs two strong games to maintain his spot in the 2016 MLS Super Draft.

Before 2015

Zach Carroll was a two year starter at Virginia. In 2014, he transferred to Michigan State where he had 5 goals while helping Michigan State get 9 shutouts in 2014.
Dennis Castillo, D, Virginia Projected Round 1st Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-10 160 lb Dennis Castillo had 3 goals in 2015. Castillo has the versatility to play both left back and right back in 2015.

Castillo did not start at the 2016 MLS Combine. With Castillo being on the bench and him having a career low in points, you have to wonder if he's still a first round pick after getting benched at right back for second round prospect Vincent Keller.

Before 2015

Dennis Castillo had 6 goals as a true freshman in 2012. A year later, Castillo had 6 goals, 1 assist, and 13 points in 2013. Castillo had 2 goals, 1 assist, and 5 points in 2014. Castillo needs a strong senior season to redeem himself.
Cole Seiler, D, Georgetown Projected Round 1st Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-1 180 lb Cole Seiler helped Georgetown record 9 shutouts at center back. Seiler struggled without Joshua Yaro next to him early as a senior and got exposed. Seiler is a 4 year starter with 21 starts in all 4 seasons at Georgetown.

Cole Seiler came in for Liam Doyle in the second half of the 2016 MLS Combine. Seiler looked good off the bench and even managed to create a scoring chance.

Before 2015

Cole Seiler started 24 games as a true freshman in 2012. Seiler started 21 games the next two seasons once Joshua Yaro arrived and enrolled into Georgetown in 2013 and 2014. Seiler has excellent durability, but you'd like to see more production from him.
Vincent Keller, D, Creighton Projected Round 1st Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-8 160 lb Vincent Keller has the versatility to play left back, center back, right back, or defensive midfielder, or central midfielder. Keller can play any of those positions effectively at College and that should get him drafted in the first round. Keller had 4 assists in 2015 and showed some playmaking for an offensive defender while helping Creighton get 10 shutouts in 2015.

Keller lined up at right back at the 2016 MLS Combine. Keller will probably play right back in the MLS when you consider how undersized he is. Keller has great intangibles, but he's not big enough to be a center back.

Before 2015

Vincent Keller played three different positions in 3 years at Creighton. Keller was a central midfielder in 2012, a defensive midfielder in 2013, and right back in 2014. Keller will play right back in 2015, and that's probably the position he will play in the MLS.
Eric DeJulio, D, Creighton Projected Round 2nd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-2 175 lb Eric DeJulio is a great center back. DeJulio has excellent defensive awareness. He needs to improve his ability on offense, but unlike his teammate Vincent Keller, DeJulio is a natural center back.

Before 2015

Eric DeJulio did not become a starter until 2014. DeJulio has to have a strong senior season.
Kyle Culbertson, D, Ohio State Projected Round 2nd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-0 160 lb Kyle Culbertson led Ohio State with 35 shots in 2015. Kyle Culbertson was a defensive midfielder for Ohio State. Like Liam Doyle he has the versatility to play left back, center back, or right back.

Kyle Culbertson was excellent on tape against Amass Amankona on tape against Dayton in the 2015 College Cup. Culbertson has to do more in order to get drafted.

Before 2015

Kyle Culbertson played for the Columbus Crew's Academy team as a kid and Columbia in the Ivy League as a freshman before transferring to Ohio State.

Culbertson had 4 goals, 3 assists, and 11 points in 2014. Culbertson needs to work on his kicking accuracy as he was 11/34 in shots on goal.

Culbertson has explosive speed, great footwork, and incredible agility. Besides his hops, Culbertson also has great passing, but needs to improve other aspects of his offensive awareness.
Derek Vogel, D, Navy Projected Round 2nd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-4 200 lb Derek Vogel has the versatility to play anywhere at striker, secondary striker, left wing, central midfielder, right wing, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, left back, center back, and right back.

Vogel can play any position. It's uncertain he will play in the MLS if he has a commitment to Navy.

Before 2015

Derek Vogel had 4 goals, 2 assists, and 10 points as a freshman. Vogel focused more on defense though after his brilliant freshman campaign.
Brendan Hines-Ike, D, South Florida Projected Round 2nd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-1 170 lb Brendan Hines-Ike is a good center back. He was one of two captains in his only season at South Florida.

Before 2015

Brendan Hines-Ike was a center back at Creighton for three seasons before transferring to South Florida. Brendan Hines-Ike will have a chance to show he's better than his former Creighton teammates at South Florida in 2015.
Walker Hume, D, North Carolina Projected Round 2nd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-5 203 lb Walker Hume got benched in 2015. North Carolina's senior appears to be a late second round pick because of his size, but he fatigues constantly. Teams need to take that into account before drafting him.

Before 2015

Walker Hume played at Rollins College in 2012 and 2013. Hume enrolled into North Carolina in 2014.
Ivan Magalhaes, D, Maryland Projected Round 3rd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-1 187 lb Ivan Magalhaes is a one year starter at Maryland. Magalhaes helped Maryland get 8 shutouts in one season with Maryland.

Magalhaes got a start at center back over Brandon Vincent, Vincent Keller, and Dennis Castillo for Team X in the 2016 MLS Combine. Magalhaes was good next to Joshua Yaro. Plus he has the versatility to play left back and right back if you need him to.

Before 2015

Ivan Magalhaes played for East Florida State Junior College the last two seasons. Magalhaes will play for Maryland in 2015.
Taylor Washington, D, George Mason Projected Round 3rd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-10 170 lb Taylor Washington has the versatility to play both left back and right back.

Taylor Washington lined up as the starting left back for Team Ace at the 2016 MLS Combine. Washington had a horrible game and got benched for Justin Bilyeu of SIU Edwardsville who did much better in the second half.

Before 2015

Taylor Washington was a two-year starter at Boston University before transferring to George Mason. Washington had 1 goal in 2014 against #13 Saint Louis. It was a game-winning goal that helped George Mason pull off an upset on Saint Louis in College Soccer.
Holden Fender, D, North Carolina State Projected Round 3rd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-2 185 lb Holden Fender has excellent defensive awareness for a defensive midfielder. Fender is absolutely poor offensive awareness when it comes to intangibles like passing and shooting. Fender is an effective dribbler.

Before 2015

Holden Fender played at UCLA for two seasons. He transferred to North Carolina State. Fender had durability issues at North Carolina State. Fender needs to put something together in 2015.
Josh Turnley, D, Georgetown Projected Round 3rd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-11 175 lb Josh Turnley did a good job at left back for Georgetown defending in 2015. Turnley was phenonmenal defending Jack Harrison for Team Control in the 2016 MLS Combine.

Before 2015

Unlike the rest of Georgetown's defensemen, Josh Turnley did not start until 2014. Turnley needs another year of experience.
Trevor Morley, D, Cal State Northridge Projected Round 3rd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-2 175 lb Trevor Morley had 4 goals, 1 assist, and 9 points in 2015. Morley played center back at Cal State Northridge. Morley can play good defense or line up as an extra scorer from time to time.

Before 2015

Trevor Morley helped Cal State Northridge get 10 shutouts in 2012 as a freshman redshirt after getting redshirted in 2011. Morley had a game winning goal against UC Irvine as a freshman redshirt. Morley wasn't as good in 2013 and 2014 after a brilliant 2012 campaign.
Tyler David, D, Saint Louis Projected Round 3rd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-2 185 lb Tyler David has the versatility to play defensive midfielder, left back, center back, or right back. David only had 1 goal in 16 games as a senior.

Tyler David lined up at right back for Team Control in the 2016 MLS Combine. He did a good job intercepting passes that Patrick Hodan fired towards Femi Hollinger-Janzen. David had a good first day at the 2016 MLS Combine showing that he won't go any further than the third round. Two more strong days may bump him up a couple of rounds.

Before 2015 Tyler David started on Saint Louis right away. David helped the Billikens get 9 shutouts in 2012, 8 shutouts in 2013, and 10 shutouts in 2014. Another 10 shutout season will get David drafted in the late first round.
Max Lachowecki, D, Notre Dame Projected Round 3rd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-10 155 lb Max Lachowecki had 3 goals, 5 assists, and 11 points in 2015. Lachowecki did pretty well at left back to help generate 5 assists for Notre Dame in 2015.

Lachowecki was the starting left back for Notre Dame at the 2016 MLS Combine for Team Chaos. Lachowecki did well early in Day 1 of the 2016 MLS Combine, but struggled in the second half of the 2016 MLS Combine.

Before 2015

Max Lachowecki had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 6 points in 2012. In 2013, Lachowecki had 3 goals, 2 assists, and 8 points. Lachowecki struggled in 2014. Max Lachowecki needs a strong 2015 senior season if he wants to get drafted.
Andrew Souders, D, Akron Projected Round 3rd Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 5-11 171 lb Andrew Souders started a career high 24 games in 2015. Akron's starting right back had 1 assist in 2015.

Before 2015

Andrew Souders went two seasons before getting a goal or assist in 2014. Souders had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 3 points in 2014.
Shane Campbell, D, Louisville Projected Round 4th Round Projected Team

2015 Season Recap The 6-0 167 lb Shane Campbell only had 1 goal in 5 games as a senior. Campbell may not have played a lot in 2015, but he has the versatility to play anywhere at striker, secondary striker, left wing, central midfielder, attacking midfielder, right wing, defensive midfielder, left back, center back, and right back.

Shane Campbell is capable of going before the fourth round. You can listen to our interview with Shane Campbell at the 1:33 mark on Talkshoe.

Before 2015 Shane Campbell had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 3 points in 2013. He may not have the best stats, but you have to look past that. You have to recognize Campbell's dribbling and offensive awareness. Campbell does such a good job reading the defense and passing the ball to the right guys with his feet. He's composed and confident on and off the field. I also like Campbell's kicking power.

His kicking accuracy is better then most defensemen his age, but could use some refining by coaches in the MLS.

While you'd like to see Campbell show more accuracy on some of his kicks, his top priority is to play defense. The fact that Campbell has amazing offensive awareness and defensive awareness makes him a gem in the fourth round.