Deacs' Recruiting Class Ranked Top 10 Nationally

8/9/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Aug. 9, 2013

By Steven Wright, Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - For the second consecutive season, Wake Forest has brought in a recruiting class ranked in the Top 10 according to national outlets. The Demon Deacons' class is ranked No. 8 in the nation according to TopDrawerSoccer.com and No. 9 in the nation according to College Soccer News.

A year ago Wake Forest sported the top recruiting class in the nation (College Soccer News), and it paid to prove accurate, as last year's freshmen Jalen Robinson, Michael Gamble and Collin Martin all earned several postseason awards.

According to the Boys IMG Academy 150 for the class of 2013, Ian Harkes is ranked 83rd, Jacori Hayes is ranked 100th and Rafael Fagundo is ranked 127th. Harkes and Fagundo both played club soccer for D.C. United, while Hayes played for the Baltimore Bays and recently spent time with the U-18 U.S. Men's National Team at the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.

The Demon Deacons 2013 class also includes seven other freshmen - Hunter Bandy, Hayden Partain, William Robinson, Tane Gent, Grant Bishop, Kody Higginbotham and Jason Pillard - and a transfer from Richmond - Shane Powell.

The newest Deacons will have a chance to see how they mesh with the veterans on Wednesday when the team begins its preseason practice schedule. Wake Forest will kick off the 2013 regular season at home against Coastal Carolina on August 30 at 8 p.m. at Spry Stadium.