Atlanta United’s famed academy has become a pipeline for the next generation of American collegiate soccer talent, with a fresh wave of graduates stepping onto NCAA Division I fields for the 2026 season.
Conference Realignment and Seasonal Shifts
The traditional August kickoff is giving way to a May‑centric schedule, a change driven by eligibility reforms and the growing influence of name, image and likeness opportunities that now flow through college programs.
Conferences such as the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big Ten are reshaping travel plans and scholarship models to accommodate the influx of players who arrive with professional experience and MLS draft pedigree.
Among those making the jump, former United midfielder Justin McLean was selected 15th overall in the MLS SuperDraft and signed with Portland Timbers 2, while Nigel Prince worked a preseason stint with Nashville SC before joining Huntsville City FC, where he logged nearly 1,200 minutes across 17 appearances.
Cristiano Bruletti, another academy alumnus, has carved out a central midfield role for Vancouver Whitecaps, captaining the side and accumulating 1,500 minutes over 19 matches.
Andrew De Gannes, who previously manned the left‑back spot for Atlanta United 2, recently penned his first professional contract with St. Louis City 2, signaling the continued export of homegrown talent.
Defensive Prospects and Homegrown Outlook
Defender Braden Dunham earned a spot on the US Soccer Coaches preseason watch list and is a regular in the United States U‑19 pool heading into the CONCACAF U‑20 Championship, while versatile right‑back Remi Okunlola has become a mainstay at Clemson, featuring in multiple defensive positions for a program known for its high‑achieving standards.
Both players are being watched closely by Atlanta United’s front office, which sees in their defensive versatility and leadership the makings of future Homegrown Player contracts.
Top‑ranked collegiate programs are also feeling the ripple effect; Furman University sits third nationally and boasts Dunham and midfielder Luke Hutzell as returning anchors, while Portland’s Ayo Akintobi and Julian Bretous are emerging as prospects, and the University of Virginia’s roster includes several former United players.
New transfers add further intrigue: Miles Hadley moved from Army to Wake Forest, where he started every match in a stout defensive unit, and Reuben Clarson, a third‑choice goalkeeper at Cornell, impressed in Atlanta United 2’s preseason and could claim the starting role for his new club.
Meanwhile, Ilan Ettinger is slated to join the University of Kentucky, where a demanding schedule against ACC opponents will test his readiness for high‑profile competition.
As the 2026 season unfolds, the blend of academy‑bred skill, professional exposure, and evolving college structures promises to reshape the landscape of American college soccer, with Atlanta United at the center of the narrative.