2026 D3 Men's Soccer National Perspective

[Kuiper]

Another DIII transfer to DI story and one that has to sting for Gustavus Adolphus:

Kieran Mahan, a freshman forward for Gustavus who scored 12 goals and had 6 assists last season and was named MIAC Rookie of the Year, MIAC All-Conference Team, MIAC All-Playoff Team, and Second Team All-Region IX, is transferring to Drake University (DI) according to a post last month from Drake Men's Soccer Instagram

[eaglesoccerdad]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dLtP9rIl80 little video about Josh Kirkland and his journey to landing with the Richmond Kickers

[blue_jays]

Another DIII transfer to DI story and one that has to sting for Gustavus Adolphus:

Kieran Mahan, a freshman forward for Gustavus who scored 12 goals and had 6 assists last season and was named MIAC Rookie of the Year, MIAC All-Conference Team, MIAC All-Playoff Team, and Second Team All-Region IX, is transferring to Drake University (DI) according to a post last month from Drake Men's Soccer Instagram

Interestingly, Drake is coached by Pat Flinn, who coached at UChicago (head and asst.) during their emergence as a national power.

[Kuiper]

Top Drawer posted a Top 10 players list for DIII Men's Soccer.  The article is paywalled, but an Instagram post gives the player names.

Do you agree with it?  Who have they left off?  For me, not including Adam Knutsen or Samuel Theiss from Trinity is a miss.

1. Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das (Tufts)
2. Ryan Bechtel (St. Olaf)
3. Connor Gage (Edgewood)
4. Alex Michael (Pfeiffer)
5. Christian Hodges (Augsburg)
6. Kasdan Blattman (Macalester)
7. Matthew Torrell (Calvin)
8. Alex Depperschmidt (Mt. Union)
9. Ethan Wirtschaffter (Wash. U)
10. Brady Leitner (Hobart)