The Presbyterian men's soccer program is preparing for the 2026 season with the arrival of twenty new recruits, a multinational group that blends fresh talent with proven collegiate and club experience.
A Global Talent Mix
Among the newcomers, Kenshin Akimoto, a senior forward from Japan, arrives after a standout collegiate career at Radford University, where he earned a 2025 Honorable Mention All‑Big South selection and proved himself as a top scorer.
Freshman midfielder Mo Alahmad, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, brings a decorated high school résumé that includes two‑time All‑State honors and the Low Country Player of the Year award.
Ali Merghemi, a senior midfielder from Canada, joins after being named First Team All‑Conference and All‑Region following a sophomore season that produced eight goals and seven assists. Also arriving is Nicolas Granadino, a Venezuelan defender who transferred from Montgomery College and previously played for Deportivo Cali, adding top‑flight experience to the back line.
Complementing the midfield is Nick Gritz, a South Carolina native and freshman goalkeeper whose familial ties to the program run deep, being the brother of junior forward Braden Gritz. The class also features Dylan Furlonge and Preston Nowicki, both of whom have competed on MLS Next squads such as the Boston Bolts and Achilles, while Alex Hand was recognized as a Region Player of the Year and Nick Gritz earned State Championship MVP honors.
Additional standouts include Obeida Jarah, who led USC Sumter to a national tournament appearance, and Michael Caschera, a PDP National Championship winner. Coaches and analysts alike note that the blend of international experience, high school accolades and club success creates a deep pool of talent that could elevate the program’s competitiveness in the coming years.