Michigan State Men’s Soccer Welcomes 12 Newcomers to East Lansing
8/17/2025 4:24:00 PM | Men's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State head coach Damon Rensing welcomes 12 newcomers to East Lansing for the 2025 season. The Spartans opened practice on August 5 combining with the newcomers with 16 returners from the 2024 team.
"We are really excited to welcome this class to the Michigan State soccer family," Rensing said. "On paper, this is one of the best classes we have had in years. The combination of quality, range of position, and quantity makes this a complete class. On the field it is a great mix of players from MLS Academies, MLSNEXT, High School All-Americans; and transfers who have had DI success. Several have been captains of their respective teams and are leaders. Off the field, they are very accomplished in the classroom and have the high character qualities we look for in a MSU soccer student-athlete."
Eleven of the 12 newcomers played in the Spartans' two exhibitions to start the season. Andrew Darakdjian is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the Spring. Against Butler, transfer Miles Merritt had an assist, while Kayden Hudson scored MSU's second goal. In the road win at UIC, freshman Chim Okeke scored both Spartan goals.
Michigan State opens the regular season, hosting UCR on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.
Spartan Freshmen
Justin Cassell | Midfielder | Rochester Hills, Mich. | Michigan Jaguars
What Rensing said...
"Justin is exceptionally quick And dynamic with the ball. He can impact the final third of the field with goals and assists. He has very good soccer instincts. On top of that Justin has a very good work rate."
Thatcher Hogan | Forward | Peoria, Ill. | John Gaspe Soccer Academy
What Rensing said...
"Thatcher is a tireless worker who can score with either foot. He helps his teammates both when he has the ball and when he doesn't. Thatcher excelled at both soccer and basketball in high school which speaks to his overall competitive nature."
JEB Knox | Defender | Urbandale, Iowa | Shattuck St. Mary's
What Rensing said
"JEB was captain of his Shattuck St. Mary's Team and is a very good leader. He is a very well-rounded soccer player who can play several positions. Very few freshmen come into college with the ability to defend and attack as well as JEB does. He is very comfortable on the ball with either foot."
Kayden Hudson | Forward | Peoria, Ill. | Central Illinois United
What Rensing said...
"Kayden was one of the most accomplished high school players in the country. The combination of his pace, athleticism and knack for scoring goals make him an ideal attacking player."
Jackson Lusky | Defender | Milford, Mich. | Michigan Jaguars/Minnesota United
What Rensing said...
"Jackson has all the qualities to be a very good center back in college. He has the size and athleticism combined with a good left foot. He is comfortable both on the ball and making decisions in the build."
Charlie Norkett | Defender | Naperville, Ill. | Chicago Fire Academy
What Rensing said...
"Standing at 6-4, Charlie is the prototypical Big Ten center back. He is exceptional with the ball at his feet with a very good range of pass. He understands the game well and is also a good communicator."
Chim Okeke| Forward | Laval, Quebec | CS Rivière-des-Prairies
What Rensing said...
"Chim is a dangerous attacking forward, who can play as the nine or wide. He has exceptional pace and can stretch defenses and has a knack for finishing inside the 18. On top of that, he is a great kid and is very respectful. He really fits our core vaules."
Peter Soudan | Midfielder | Western Springs, Ill. | Chicago Fire Academy
What Rensing said...
"Peter is coming off a very good summer with Chicago Fire 2. He is a player with a high soccer IQ and very good instincts in the final 1/3. He is technical and can play just about any position in the attacking half."
Luke Spadafora | Midfielder | Northville, Mich. | Austin FC/Michigan Wolves
What Rensing said...
"Luke enrolled early with us in January and had a very bright spring season. Luke has all the tools you look for in a central midfielder. He has very technical ability, vision and understanding of the game. On top of that he has very good leadership skills. Luke can be one of the best freshmen not only in the Big Ten but also in the country as well."
Spartan Transfers
Miles Merritt | Midfielder | Albuquerque, N.M. | Incarnate Word
What Rensing said...
"Miles enrolled in January after two successful years at Incarnate word. He had a very good spring settling in the center of the park. He is very clean on the ball and has a very good range of pass. He is quick and does a nice job of breaking up plays in the midfield. We look for miles to impact the Big Ten immediately."
Andrew Darakdjian | Forward | Commerce Township, Mich. | Oakland
What Rensing said...
"Andrew enrolled in January as well after two successful years at Oakland University. He scored a couple of good goals this spring, but unfortunately underwent ACL surgery in May. We are excited to have Andrew for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons."
David Anderson | Goalkeeper | Fort Wayne, Ind. | St. John's
What Rensing said...
"We are excited to add depth in the goalkeeper position for both this year and beyond. David comes back to the Midwest after a redshirt year at St. John's. David has good size and athleticism and has a very good upside. He has been great to get know as a person and is a great teammate."
"We are really excited to welcome this class to the Michigan State soccer family," Rensing said. "On paper, this is one of the best classes we have had in years. The combination of quality, range of position, and quantity makes this a complete class. On the field it is a great mix of players from MLS Academies, MLSNEXT, High School All-Americans; and transfers who have had DI success. Several have been captains of their respective teams and are leaders. Off the field, they are very accomplished in the classroom and have the high character qualities we look for in a MSU soccer student-athlete."
Eleven of the 12 newcomers played in the Spartans' two exhibitions to start the season. Andrew Darakdjian is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the Spring. Against Butler, transfer Miles Merritt had an assist, while Kayden Hudson scored MSU's second goal. In the road win at UIC, freshman Chim Okeke scored both Spartan goals.
Michigan State opens the regular season, hosting UCR on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.
Spartan Freshmen
Justin Cassell | Midfielder | Rochester Hills, Mich. | Michigan Jaguars
What Rensing said...
"Justin is exceptionally quick And dynamic with the ball. He can impact the final third of the field with goals and assists. He has very good soccer instincts. On top of that Justin has a very good work rate."
Thatcher Hogan | Forward | Peoria, Ill. | John Gaspe Soccer Academy
What Rensing said...
"Thatcher is a tireless worker who can score with either foot. He helps his teammates both when he has the ball and when he doesn't. Thatcher excelled at both soccer and basketball in high school which speaks to his overall competitive nature."
JEB Knox | Defender | Urbandale, Iowa | Shattuck St. Mary's
What Rensing said
"JEB was captain of his Shattuck St. Mary's Team and is a very good leader. He is a very well-rounded soccer player who can play several positions. Very few freshmen come into college with the ability to defend and attack as well as JEB does. He is very comfortable on the ball with either foot."
Kayden Hudson | Forward | Peoria, Ill. | Central Illinois United
What Rensing said...
"Kayden was one of the most accomplished high school players in the country. The combination of his pace, athleticism and knack for scoring goals make him an ideal attacking player."
Jackson Lusky | Defender | Milford, Mich. | Michigan Jaguars/Minnesota United
What Rensing said...
"Jackson has all the qualities to be a very good center back in college. He has the size and athleticism combined with a good left foot. He is comfortable both on the ball and making decisions in the build."
Charlie Norkett | Defender | Naperville, Ill. | Chicago Fire Academy
What Rensing said...
"Standing at 6-4, Charlie is the prototypical Big Ten center back. He is exceptional with the ball at his feet with a very good range of pass. He understands the game well and is also a good communicator."
Chim Okeke| Forward | Laval, Quebec | CS Rivière-des-Prairies
What Rensing said...
"Chim is a dangerous attacking forward, who can play as the nine or wide. He has exceptional pace and can stretch defenses and has a knack for finishing inside the 18. On top of that, he is a great kid and is very respectful. He really fits our core vaules."
Peter Soudan | Midfielder | Western Springs, Ill. | Chicago Fire Academy
What Rensing said...
"Peter is coming off a very good summer with Chicago Fire 2. He is a player with a high soccer IQ and very good instincts in the final 1/3. He is technical and can play just about any position in the attacking half."
Luke Spadafora | Midfielder | Northville, Mich. | Austin FC/Michigan Wolves
What Rensing said...
"Luke enrolled early with us in January and had a very bright spring season. Luke has all the tools you look for in a central midfielder. He has very technical ability, vision and understanding of the game. On top of that he has very good leadership skills. Luke can be one of the best freshmen not only in the Big Ten but also in the country as well."
Spartan Transfers
Miles Merritt | Midfielder | Albuquerque, N.M. | Incarnate Word
What Rensing said...
"Miles enrolled in January after two successful years at Incarnate word. He had a very good spring settling in the center of the park. He is very clean on the ball and has a very good range of pass. He is quick and does a nice job of breaking up plays in the midfield. We look for miles to impact the Big Ten immediately."
Andrew Darakdjian | Forward | Commerce Township, Mich. | Oakland
What Rensing said...
"Andrew enrolled in January as well after two successful years at Oakland University. He scored a couple of good goals this spring, but unfortunately underwent ACL surgery in May. We are excited to have Andrew for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons."
David Anderson | Goalkeeper | Fort Wayne, Ind. | St. John's
What Rensing said...
"We are excited to add depth in the goalkeeper position for both this year and beyond. David comes back to the Midwest after a redshirt year at St. John's. David has good size and athleticism and has a very good upside. He has been great to get know as a person and is a great teammate."
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M/F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerDamon Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Sep. 29 2025
Monday, September 29
Spartans All-Access | Keeper of the Turf
Thursday, November 14
Playing Out His Dream | Spartans All-Access
Thursday, October 31
Coach Rensing | Men's Soccer Press Conference | Oct. 14 2024
Monday, October 14