MSU Soccer Announces 2019 Recruiting Class

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State men's soccer head coach Damon Rensing announced the addition of six student-athletes as part of the 2019 recruiting class.

MSU welcomes Gianni Ferri (Windsor, Ontario), Conner George (Louisville, Kentucky), Nate Jefferson (Lansing, Michigan), Kellan Landefeld (Livonia, Michigan), Andrew Nicholsen (Novi, Michigan) and Nick Stone (Pinckney, Michigan).

"We are really excited to welcome the 2019 class to the Michigan State Soccer Family! This is a talented, proven, and deep class that should have a very positive impact on the 2019 fall season. What I really like about this class is not only is it talented, but it's also a really competitive group that has a good personality that will fit really well with the culture here at Michigan State," Rensing said. "Finally, not only is this group talented on the field, but they are very good in the classroom, and good people that will do a great job representing Michigan State Soccer off the field."

Michigan State looks to replace 10 seniors from last season's squad that reached the NCAA College Cup.

"After the run to the College Cup and the loss of a good senior class, we still have returning a good core of starters along with a good group of current players ready to contribute. This incoming class will be a great fit to what we already have here at Michigan State. This should prove for an exciting 2019 season," Rensing added.

2019 Michigan State Soccer Signees
Gianni Ferri
Fr., F, 6-0, Windsor, Ontario, Canada/Blyth Academy

Prior To MSU: Has played for Vardar Academy, scoring 13 goals during the 2017-18 and 14 during the 2016-17 campaign ... Also played club for Toronto FC Academy ... Son of Johnny and Tanya Ferri.

Coach Rensing on Ferri: "Gianni comes to us as a proven goal scorer and one of the top forward recruits in the country. He possesses good size and athleticism combined with a soft touch on the ball. That combination is hard to find in strikers. The other quality that stood out was his work rate on both sides of the ball. Having played for both TFC and Vardar Academy will have him prepared for Big Ten Soccer."

Conner George
Fr., F, 6-1, Louisville, Ky./Saint Xavier High School

Prior To MSU: Played at Saint Xavier High School for head coach Andy Schulten … Captured the 2018 KHSAA State Championship, earning KHSAA All-State first-team honors … Also earned KHSAA All-Metro, All-Region, All District and All-Tournament Team in 2018 … Captured the Golden Boot and was named to the TopDrawer All-American Watch List in 2018 … Named to the CJ Sports All-Area Team … In 2017, was a KHSAA State Champion, earning All-State and All-Tournament Team honors … Earned MVP State Tournament honors and was Catholic School Player of the Year … Played club for Javanon Football Club and was a state finalist in 2017 and 2018 ... In 2015, was a swimming and diving State Champion ... Son of Cris and Kittie George … His mother played basketball at the University of Alabama, while his father played water polo at the University of Kentucky.

Coach Rensing on George: "Simply put, Conner is a winner. He led his high school team to two state championships and was also a state champion in swimming and diving back in 2015. Conner also has a knack for scoring big goals in big games. He moves well both with and without the ball and is a tireless worker. He also gained good experience with his club team Javanon. Conner's leadership skills were another quality that impressed us."

Nate Jefferson
Fr., D., 5-9, Lansing, Mich./Grand Ledge High School

Prior To MSU: Scored seven goals and two assists for the Fire during the 2017-18 year … Currently plays club for the Michigan Wolves … During the 2016-17 season, scored seven goals with two assists as a defender … Previously played club with Michigan Fire, finishing third at the Disney Showcase during the 2015-16 season … Scored five goals and three assists … Son of Jaime Grant and Brian Jefferson.

Coach Rensing on Jefferson: "We are always excited when we can bring a talented local kid to play close to home here at MSU! Nate is a left back who has great pace to get forward and loves to attack out of the back. He can serve a very good ball with his left which is a great attribute. Nate has played both with Michigan Fire and currently with the Wolves Academy. I think his best days of soccer are clearly still ahead of him. Nate is very eager to keep getting better and is very coachable. We learned that when he attended our ID camp."

Kellan Landefeld
Fr., F., 5-8, Livonia, Mich./Stevenson High School

Prior To MSU: Played for the Crew Academy Wolves for the last four seasons ... Son of Doug Landefeld and Maura Bradley, who both played soccer at MSU ... His uncle, Josh, also played at Michigan State.

Coach Rensing on Landefeld: "Kellan is the fourth Landefeld to wear a Spartan Soccer jersey! Both his mom Maura and father Doug along with his uncle Josh all donned the Green and White. Kellan is a very skillful midfielder who can be exceptional on the ball and do things that a coach just can't teach. He can take people on the dribble, set teammates up with an assist, or score himself. Playing for the Wolves since a very young age will give him the experience and savvy to compete right away."

Andrew Nicholsen
Fr., GK., 6-2, Novi, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central High School

Prior To MSU: Played at Detroit Catholic High School for head coach Gene Pulice, becoming Catholic League Championship as a junior ... As a senior, named Most Valuable Player and earning another Catholic League Championship and reaching the regional final … In 2018, earned All-Catholic and All-District … Also captured first-team All-State and Michigan Dream Team honors … Played club for Michigan Jaguars FC … In 2017, played for the Florida Interregional ODP All-Star Team … Son of Hans and Jerilyn Nicholsen.

Coach Rensing on Nicholsen: "We first saw Andrew with the Novi Jaguars and then he came to our ID Camp. He possesses all the qualities you would like to see in a goalkeeper. He has good size and athleticism. He has good hands and is a very good shot-stopper. He is courageous and has a strong presence in the box. Lastly he is a confident person and a leader. We are excited to bring Andrew on board."

Nick Stone
Fr., D., 5-10, Pinckney, Mich./Pinckney Community High School

Prior To MSU: Named captain of the Crew Soccer Academy Wolves ... Played for the Wolves for four seasons, competing in the Generation Adidas Tournament during the 2016-17 season … Son of Richard and Ann Stone … His mother was a swimmer at Eastern Michigan ... His brother, Christian, played soccer at Sienna Heights University, while his sister, Catherine, ran cross country and track and field at Ferris State.

Coach Rensing on Stone: "Nick is our third person from this class to join us from the Wolves Academy. Nick is a highly rated national recruit that can play either centerback or right back. Nick has good pace and quickness and reads the game very well from his position. Nick is also very calm and skillful playing out of the back. He has a very good range of pass which is critical for a defender. When the game is on the line, Nick always seems to make a game-saving block or tackle. He gained invaluable experience playing for the Columbus Crew in the GA Cup."

Related News

Related Videos