Muuss Announces 2018 Signees
5/2/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeMSoccer)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest head coach Bobby Muuss announced the 2018 signing class, which features seven incoming freshmen and a junior transfer.
The signing class features four of TopDrawerSoccer's top 50 recruits in the nation and is currently rated as the No. 2 recruiting class in the country by TDS.
"I am excited about the newest members of the Wake Forest soccer family. My staff worked extremely hard searching not only for quality players on the field, but also for incredible young men who embody what it takes to be a Demon Deacon. I can't wait to get them on campus and get to work."
The signing class features three defenders, three midfielders and two forwards.
Koby Carr | Defender | 5-9 | 150 | San Antonio, Texas | The Woodlands HS | Houston Dynamo Youth
Background
Rated as the No. 37 recruit in the country by TopDrawerSoccer ... Picked as a four-star prospect, the No. 4 prospect in Texas and the No. 11 defender nationally ... Member of the United States U-18 National Team ... Named a United Soccer Coaches All-American in 2017 ... Served as a captain of the Houston Dynamo Youth U18/19 team ... Spent time playing with former Deacs and current pros Brandon Servania and Mark McKenzie ... Chose Wake Forest over North Carolina, Louisville, Washington, South Carolina, Pitt, Tulsa and Michigan State.
Personal
Born on July 17, 1999 ... Son of Jeremy and Marlo Carr ... Father was an All-American baseball player at Cal State Fullerton and stole 278 bases in eight seasons in the Kansas City Royals organization, including four years in AAA ... Great uncle Joe Gibbs is an NFL Hall of Fame coach and NASCAR team owner.
Muuss' Take
"Koby is a relentless player who brings a mentality and work ethic that you don't often see on the recruiting trail anymore. He is an attacking-minded defender who will bring a welcome dynamic to our back line. Koby brings a competitiveness to the program that fits in well with our ideals and will serve him well competing in the ACC. Koby arrives at Wake Forest with experience at the US U-18 National Team level and will compete from day one to contribute to our program's culture and style of play."
Kyle Holcomb | Forward | 6-0 | 165 | San Marcos, Calif. | San Marcos HS | Pateadores SC
Background
Rated by TopDrawerSoccer as the No. 26 recruit in the country, as well as the No. 7 forward and a four-star prospect ... Spent time with the U.S. U-18 and U-19 National Teams ... Was the top scorer in the Western Division Academy in three consecutive seasons from 2015-17 ... With his club team, Pateadores FC, he scored 28 goals in 22 games in 2017 and 26 goals in 27 games in 2016 ... Won a national title with Pateadores in 2013 ... Chose Wake Forest over Stanford, Duke, Cal and San Diego State.
Personal
Born on Feb. 24, 2000 ... Son of Eric and Rana Holcomb ... Considering a major in microbiology ... Uncle, Chuck Lively, played college soccer at Fresno State.
Muuss' Take
"Kyle is a dynamic attacking player who has a proven knack for scoring goals and has been amongst the nation's top goal scorers in the US Development Academy for the last 3 seasons. Kyle has a grit and determination about his game as well as the ability to stretch teams in behind. Kyle comes to Wake Forest with experience on the U-18 and U-19 U.S. National Teams, which will help him transition into a highly competitive program with high expectations."
Alistair Johnson | Midfielder | 5-11 | 170 | Aurora, Ontario | St. John's University | Aurora HS
At St. John's (2016-17)
Started all 36 games over his freshman and sophomore seasons ... Totaled 10 goals and four assists ... Named to the Big East All-Freshman Team in 2016 and to the Big East All-Tournament Team in 2017 ... Tied for the team lead with 16 points in 2017 ... Last year, scored both goals in a 2-1 win over UC Santa Barbara ... Assisted on the game-winner over No. 7 Georgetown and scored twice in a Big East Tournament win over Creighton.
Background
Played club soccer for Vaughan SC ... Was one of 28 players invited by Canada Soccer to a U-20 identification camp.
Personal
Born on Oct. 8, 1998 ... Son of Bill and Catherine Johnston ... Planning to study economics ... Had a 3.92 cumulative GPA in two years at St. John's.
Muuss' Take
"Alistair brings experience to Wake Forest after competing in 36 games at St. John's and earning a Big East All-Freshman Team selection. Alistair is a central midfielder whose technique, industrious attitude, and knowledge of the game will allow him to compete in the ACC right away. I can't wait to have him on campus and work with him. His competitiveness and eagerness to learn is exactly the type of player I like to work with."
Elijah Kerr | Defender | 5-9 | 150 | Elmont, N.Y. | Sewanhaka HS | Dix Hills SC
Background
Two-time first-team all-conference honoree in high school ... Totaled five goals and three assists in 11 games as a junior ... Rated as a two-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer ... Selected Wake Forest over Virginia
Personal
Born on May 21, 2000 ... Son of Ivette Medina and George Kerr ... Considering a major in computer science ... Member of the National Honor Society, National World Language Honor Society, and Math Departmental Honor Society in high school.
Muuss' Take
"Elijah is a fierce competitor and I can't wait to get him on campus to work with him. The first thing that drew me to Elijah is his ability as a 1v1 defender and his reading of the game. Elijah is committed to developing into a player that can provide competition at several different positions across our back line and is a great addition to our recruiting class both as a player and a person."
Isaiah Parente | Midfielder | 5-9 | 150 | Medina, Ohio | Medina HS | Columbus Crew SC Academy
Background
Enrolled early at Wake Forest for the 2018 spring semester and competed in the spring season ... Rated by TopDrawerSoccer as the No. 25 prospect in the nation, as well as the top prospect from the Great Lakes Region ... Participated in the inaugural U.S. Soccer Men's Youth National Team Summit Camp with the U-19 National Team in January, 2018 ... Totaled five goals in 12 games with the Crew SC Academy in 2017-18 ... Chose Wake Forest over Duke, Clemson, Akron, Ohio State and Pitt.
Personal
Born on March 16, 2000 ... Son of Giuseppe and Danielle Parente ... Both his parents were athletes at Cleveland State, with his father playing soccer and his mother on the cross country team ... Brother, Hayden totaled 16 goals and 11 assists in two seasons at John Carroll University and is now playing at Cleveland State.
Muuss' Take
"Isaiah is one of the very best midfielders in the country due to his technical ability on the ball and soccer IQ. Isaiah was fortunate to graduate from high school early and joined us this past January. He has already shown his quality on and off the ball in our environment this spring. His determination and drive to improve are infectious amongst the team and I have high expectations for a player of his caliber. Isaiah comes into Wake Forest with U.S. U-19 National Team experience, has performed well at every level he's been exposed to, and we expect him to have the same influence on the game in the ACC."
Holland Rula | Defender | 5-11 | 175 | Birmingham, Ala. | Lone Star HS | FC Dallas Academy
Background
Ranked by TopDrawerSoccer as the No. 119 recruit in the country, as well as the No. 10 prospect from Texas and the No. 30 defender nationally ... Played in 18 games and made 11 starts with the FC Dallas Academy in 2017-18 ... Played with former Deacon and current pro Brandon Servania ... Previously spent two seasons playing at the IMG Academy ... Chose Wake Forest over North Carolina, Louisville, SMU and Ohio State.
Personal
Born on May 15, 1999 ... Son of David Rula, Natalie Rula and Leigh Anne Rula ... Father, David, played basketball at Mississippi State ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Full name is John Holland Rula.
Muuss' Take
"Holland's work rate is second to none and he is as honest and committed as a player as you're going to find. He comes to us from one of the best development academies in the U.S. and has earned everything he's achieved. He's a player who will find a way to contribute because he does all the dirty work for players around him to flourish. Holland is a left back who offers the game just as much going forward as he does in his defensive responsibilities and I can't wait to see what he can do in the ACC."
Jake Swallen | Midfielder | 5-10 | 155 | Shoreview, Minn. | Mounds View HS | Minnesota Thunder Academy
Background
Rated as a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer, as well as the No. 16 prospect from the Midwest ... Scored six goals in five games with the Minnesota Thunder Academy in 2017-18 before tearing his ACL ... Served as a team captain ... Selected Wake Forest over Indiana and Portland ... Thirteen club teammates who graduated in 2017 and 2018 are playing Division I soccer.
Personal
Born on March 27, 2000 ... Son of Sharon Lokowich and John Swallen ... Father played soccer at Ripon College and had an 12-year pro career with the Minnesota Thunder and was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame as a goalkeeper, earning USL First Division A-League MVP honors in 1999 ... Mother played soccer at the College of St. Benedict.
Muuss' Take
"Jake is an exceptionally savvy midfielder with a high soccer IQ. He brings a knowledge and feel for the game that fit well into our style of play and culture. Jake is a two-way midfielder who excels in dictating the tempo and rhythm of the game. Jake has the ability and work ethic to cover ground in the midfield and connect the game for our team. I'm excited to work with Jake and see him develop over his time at Wake Forest."
Aristotle Zarris | Forward | 5-10 | 160 | Sarasota, Fla. | California Connections Academy | LA Galaxy Academy
Background
Rated as the No. 42 recruit in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer, also projected as the No. 15 midfielder and a four-star prospect ... Spent time with the United States U-18 and U-16 National Teams ... Recognized as a USSCAA All-American in 2016 ... Spent the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons with the LA Galaxy Academy, totaling 14 goals in 29 games ... Previously spent 2015-16 with the Real Salt Lake Academy, totaling 13 goals in 28 games ... Chose Wake Forest over Stanford, Duke, UCLA and Indiana.
Personal
Born on Oct. 6, 1999 ... Son of Olympus and Joi Zarris ... Considering a major in business or finance ... Cousins, Bay and Brad Kurtz, play at Virginia.
Muuss' Take
"Aristotle is one of the country's most prized recruits who has an uncanny technical ability on the ball, as well as an unparalleled feel for the game. Aristotle's style of play is exactly what we look for in a player: someone who values unselfish play and who wants to work in combination with their teammates for the betterment of the team. He arrives at Wake Forest with an abundance of experience at U.S. National Team levels throughout his youth career. I'm thrilled to work with a soccer junkie like Aristotle who brings a hunger and humility to his game that will assist him in developing into one of the ACC's most dangerous attacking players."
