Donovan Sessoms, a first‑year forward at UC Santa Barbara, has been selected for the United Soccer Coaches' Players to Watch List for the 2026 season, a recognition that highlights his rapid emergence on the national stage.
Sessoms arrived on campus after a standout high‑school career and quickly made an impact for the Gauchos, earning All‑Far West Region honors and a spot on the All‑Big West Second Team in 2025.
During the 2024 campaign he recorded ten goals, was named to the All‑Big West First Team, and contributed three of those strikes in matches against his own club, underscoring his knack for finding the net in key moments.
Although he was drafted by San Diego FC in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft, Sessoms elected to remain in college, a decision that reflects both his commitment to development and his confidence in the Gauchos' program.
His inclusion marks the first time since the watch list's inception in 2022 that UC Santa Barbara has had multiple representatives, joining goalkeeper Owen Beninga and defender Calle Mollerberg on the honor roll.
Preseason Outlook
The upcoming schedule not only provides a chance for the team to fine‑tune tactics but also serves as a showcase for the program's rising talent, with Sessoms expected to be a central figure.
Coach staff have emphasized the importance of building chemistry early, and the matches will test the squad against varied styles of play, from the physicality of the Big West to the speed of West Coast rivals.
Fans and alumni are eager to see how the new cohort, anchored by Sessoms, will translate its early‑season promise into tangible results as the regular season approaches.
The recognition also reflects the growing reputation of the Gauchos within national soccer circles, a trend that has been bolstered by recent investments in facilities and coaching staff.