Gjerde Listed Amongst United Soccer Coaches 2025 Defenders to Watch

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – United Soccer Coaches introduced its 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Defenders to Watch List for the upcoming season. Drake’s Eskil Gjerde was included on the USC watch checklist as one of many doubtlessly premier defenders in 2025.
 
A 6-foot senior from Egersund, Norway, Gjerde was named the Missouri Valley Conference Co-Midfielder of the Year final season alongside Missouri State’s Tyler Caton. He was additionally included on the All-MVC First Team and acquired one other honor from the United Soccer Coaches in All-West Region Second Team standing.
 
Gjerde began all 14 of his 2024 appearances and cashed in on two objectives and an help for 5 whole factors. He made 17 whole pictures with 9 on course.
 
The USC Watch Lists are compiled and launched by the Division I All-America Committees to advertise school soccer main as much as the official begin date for the common season later this month. The lists embrace United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and All-Region gamers from 2024 who’re scheduled to return for the 2025 marketing campaign.
 
“Entering the 2025 season, these previous honorees represent some of the best at their positions,” stated Ralph Polson, Senior College All-America Administrator. “As pre-season training opens, we are pleased to recognize these outstanding student-athletes from our member schools. I would like to thank Jennifer Rockwood, DI Women’s All-America Chair, Ryan Hopkins, DI Men’s All-America Chair, and their respective committees for their efforts in compiling these lists.”
 
2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Defenders to Watch
Jefferson Amaya – Sr. – High Point
Elijah Bishop – Jr. – Central Arkansas
Dren Dobruna – So. – Dayton
Jace Foster – Sr. – Oakland
Fravolini Whitchurch – Sr. – Princeton
Takahiro Fujita – Jr. – Marshall
Jackson Gilman – Sr. – Pittsburgh
Eskil Gjerde – Sr. – Drake
Noah Gold – Sr. – Charleston
Jack Jasinski – Sr. – Princeton
Andrew Johnson – Sr. – Cornell
Aidan Kelly – Sr. – UMass
Zack Lillington – Sr. – UC Davis
Clarence Loriot – Sr. – New Hampshire
Alex Matthews – Sr. – Missouri State
Nolan Miller – Sr. – Michigan
Calle Mollerberg – Jr. – UCSB
Luka Nikolai – Jr. – North Carolina
Parker Owens – Jr. – Cal Poly
Rai Pinto – Jr. – Marshall
Christian Shannon – Sr. – Western Michigan
Casper Svendby – Sr. – Pittsburgh