DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer program has added nine signings through National Letters of Intent, head coach Jamie Franks announced on Wednesday.
Sam Bassett (Littleton, Colo.), Jason Belloli (Geneva, Ill.), AJ Francois (Austin, Texas), Oje Ofunrein (Round Rock, Texas), Gabe Schwartz (Montclair, N.J.), Aidan Semelsberger (Los Alamos, N.M.), Ian Smith (Littleton, Colo.), Jake Smith (Wake Forest, N.C.) and Trevor Wright (Castle Rock, Colo.) all signed to join a program that has won 12 conference trophies in the last seven seasons.
"We are excited about the potential of this group and how it adds to our current team," Franks said. "The best way to grade them will be in five years. Do we reach our goal of winning a national championship? Are we making an impact in the DU community? What sort of culture do we have? Did they leave this place better than how they found it? It's hard to be a team-first guy and throughout the recruiting process, it was clear that these guys fit into what we are trying to do here."
The recruiting class has been ranked as high as sixth nationally, courtesy of the latest rankings that Top Drawer Soccer released in October.
"The transition from academy to college is challenging," Franks said. "The game moves a lot quicker. The game is won more in the margins, and the details are more measured. The 2021 class has the potential to come in right away and help us. The competition every day in training for first-team minutes is important for winning games and reaching our goals."
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Sam Bassett – Midfielder– 6-0- 160 – Chatfield High School – Colorado Rapids – Littleton, Colo.
Before Denver:
Top goal scorer for the Colorado Rapids U15 DA in 2016…Led the Real Colorado U17s in assists in 2019-20…Ranked as the No. 159 recruit in the 2021 class by Top Drawer Soccer.
Personal:
Born on April 13, 2003…Son of George and Amy...Has two siblings, Cole and Maya…Chose the University of Denver because of the educational opportunities, phenomenal staff and the connections that he will make in his four years at DU…Brother Cole plays in MLS for the Colorado Rapids…Dad ran track at Cal…Career goal is to become a professional soccer player…Enjoys golf.
Jason Belloli – Defender – 6-3 - 195 – Geneva High School – Chicago Fire Academy – Geneva, Ill.
Before Denver:
Spent the last four years with the Chicago Fire Academy…Team captain for his final two seasons at the U17 and U19 level…Played and started for the Chicago Fire Reserves against a USL1 side, Lansing Ignite, in a friendly in September of 2019…No. 67 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer in the class of 2021.
Personal:
Born on February 17, 2003…Son of David and Amy...Has two siblings Ryan and Jack…Chose the University of Denver because of the culture that Jamie and his staff have built at DU…Believes he will grow as both a person and a player on and off the field every day…Hopes to play professional soccer following his time at DU…Also enjoys music, hiking, watching sports and photography…Father, David, played football at Missouri S&T.
AJ Francois – Defender – 5-6 - 140 – St. Stephens Episcopal School – Lonestar Soccer Club – Austin, Texas
Before Denver:
Captain of Lonestar SC DA and ECNL squads from U16-U19 levels…Played in a professional game as an academy player for Austin Bold FC in the USL Championship.
Personal:
Born on April 29, 2003…Son of Mark and Alina...Step parent Randal…Has two siblings Luc and Cesely…Chose the University of Denver for its standards of excellence that are held in the day-to-day process, and the environment of growth and leadership that will allow him to become the best version of himself…Hopes to play soccer at the professional level after graduation…Also enjoys basketball.
Oje Ofunrein – Forward – 6-0 - 180 – Meridian World School – Lonestar Soccer Club – Round Rock, Texas
Before Denver:
Cum Laude…2017-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Frontier Division Top Scorer…Also played basketball.
Personal:
Born on June 1, 2003…Son of Kehinde and Omolola... Has two siblings Ohireme and Aimalohi…Chose the University of Denver because of the culture, and his desire to grow as much as possible as a student, athlete and most importantly, a person…Hopes to become a physician, specifically in the areas of endocrinology and dermatology.
Gabe Schwartz – Goalkeeper – 6-3- 190 – IMG Academy – IMG Academy MLS Next – Montclair, N.J.
Before Denver:
Started 21 of 23 games at IMG Academy in the USSDA (2019-20)…Played for Cedar Stars Academy from 2017-19…Two-time AFC Bournemouth trialist in 2018…Two-time New Jersey State Cup Champion in 2016 and 2017.
Personal:
Born on February 21, 2003…Son of Neil and Elaine...Has two siblings, Leo and Ayla…Chose the University of Denver because he wanted to be a part of something special. The DU family offered him the sense of belonging and the opportunity to grow as an athlete, leader and student…Hopes to one day play professional soccer…Also enjoys coaching, running and hiking…Father played college lacrosse at Tufts University.
Aidan Semelsberger – Midfielder– 5-5 - 135 – Los Alamos High School – Rio Rapids – Los Alamos, N.M.
Before Denver:
Two-time District Player of the Year (2018 and 2019)…Two-time All-New Mexico selection (2018 and 2019)…Finished with the highest assist tally in the state in 2018, distributing 27.
Personal:
Born on March 25, 2003…Son of Troy and Kathy...Has one sibling, Tristan…Chose the University of Denver because of its great soccer program as well as the academic opportunities offered at the University…Brother, Tristan, plays college soccer at the Colorado School of Mines…Hopes to earn his accounting degree from DU.
Ian Smith – Defender – 6-1- 185 – Highlands Ranch High School – Real Colorado – Littleton, Colo.
Before Denver:
2017 Freshman Soccer Player of the Year during his time at Highlands Ranch High School…Two-time honor roll honoree.
Personal:
Born on July 16, 2002…Son of Christopher and Brenda...Has two siblings, Kaden and Rylan…Chose the University of Denver because it is a great school and he's excited about the future that he can have with the program…Hopes to one day become and entrepreneur and create his own business…Enjoys construction.
Jake Smith – Midfielder– 6-0 - 160 – Wake Forest High School – NCFC U19 Academy – Wake Forest, N.C.
Before Denver:
2019 NCHSAA 4A Men's Soccer State Champion…2019 All-Conference selection…2016 U13 US Youth Soccer National Champion.
Personal:
Born on March 12, 2003…Son of Jason and Sherrie...Has two siblings Adalyn and Morgan…Chose the University of Denver because he fully believes in the coaching staff's philosophy of developing student-athletes…Hopes to obtain a business degree…Also enjoys golfing and fishing...Father, Jason, played baseball for N.C. State…Uncle, Andy, played football at Air Force…Cousin, Bryan, played football at N.C. State.
Trevor Wright – Defender – 6-3 - 200 – Valor Christian High School – Real Colorado (MLS Next) – Castle Rock, Colo.
Before Denver:
Played his club soccer for Real Colorado's DA/MLS is Next…Scored two goals in 2019-20 in 15 appearances for Real Colorado's U-18/19s…No. 60 recruit in the class according to Top Drawer Soccer.
Personal:
Born on May 29, 2002…Son of Mike and Crissy... Has two siblings Abby and Nicole…Chose the University of Denver because of the academic opportunities, and he felt that the coaching staff was more real with him than any other staff he talked to…Dad, Mike, played DI soccer for Richmond, then went on to play for the Colorado Foxes…Mother, Crissy, played Division I soccer at Vermont…Hopes to play professional soccer after graduation…Also enjoys Spike Ball, basketball and hanging out with friends.
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