2026 Men's Soccer Preseason Players to Watch List
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Ahead of the 2026 season, Big South men’s soccer head coaches submitted players for the Preseason Players To Watch. Each team could select up to five players (regardless of position) to be included on the Watch List.
Meanwhile, the Preseason Players of the Year honorees in the categories of Offensive, Midfielder, Defensive and Goalkeeper will be selected by the head coaches from the lists, and will be announced on Wednesday, Aug. 12, along with the 2026 preseason predicted order of finish.
Below are the Preseason Players To Watch for 2026, listed by position and presented in alphabetical order by school.
FORWARDS - Name, School
Daniel Lugo, High Point
Prosper Adagani, High Point
Brando Bedolla, Longwood
Mesfin Roda, Longwood
Kenshin Akimoto, Presbyterian
Tyler Ware, UNC Asheville
Arnor Hardarson, UNC Asheville
Villads Baden, Winthrop
Pablo Ortega, Winthrop
MIDFIELDERS - Name, School
Koven Johnson, High Point
Ezrah Seralde, Longwood
Aristhid Kamdjin, Longwood
AJ Acree, Presbyterian
Ali Merghemi, Presbyterian
Kenjy Vertil-Dorelus, Presbyterian
Charlie Wood, UNC Asheville
Oscar Kelly, USC Upstate
Henry Burt, USC Upstate
Sam Crolla, Winthrop
DEFENDERS - Name, School
Roman Holt, High Point
Benjamin Ferrero, Longwood
Lennart Granzow, UNC Asheville
Jalen Moore, USC Upstate
Cody Read, Winthrop
Josh Murray, Winthrop
GOALKEEPERS - Name, School
Josh Caron, High Point
Ben Miller, Radford
Lucca Barros, UNC Asheville
Jarrett Wuerslin, USC Upstate