NEW YORK (Dec. 20, 2023) – For the eighth time in 11 years, the BIG EAST had two or more players drafted in the first round of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft presented by adidas. This year the BIG EAST had 14 players selected over the course of the draft, with three in the first round.
 
The 14 BIG EAST selections in the opening three rounds are the most since the start of the 2013 campaign. Overall, the BIG EAST ranked second among conferences with 14 selections, just behind the ACC (20) and ahead of the Pac-12 (12).
 
A pair of Georgetown Hoyas were selected in the top-25, with Jacob Murrell selected seventh overall by D.C. United. Picked No. 22, the 2023 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year Ryan Schewe was picked by Sporting Kansas City.
 
Also selected in the first round, UConn goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert was selected 19^th overall by Atlanta United FC.
 
Seven BIG EAST student-athletes were selected in the second round, including 2023 BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Jason Shokalook of Akron and 2022 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year Palmer Ault of Butler.
 
Ault was selected by Austin FC with the 34^th pick, just before Shokalook at pick 35 by Chicago Fire FC. In addition, two more Zips and three Hoyas were also selected in the second round, including Akron’s Malik Henry (No. 40, CF Montreal) and Dyson Clapier (No. 51, Sporting Kansas City) and Georgetown’s Kyle Linhares (No. 40, Portland Timbers), Kenny Nielsen (No. 57, Los Angeles FC) and Zach Zengue (No. 58, Columbus Crew).
 
Four more BIG EAST players were selected in the third and final round, beginning with UConn forward Eli Conway at pick No. 68 by CF Montreal.
 
Selected by Vancouver Whitecaps FC at pick No. 74, Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau of St. John’s heard his named called, shortly before Georgetown defender Maximus Jennings was picked by Real Salt Lake at No. 76.
 
Rounding out the 2024 BIG EAST draft class, Providence Forward Brendan McSorley was selected No. 79 overall by St. Louis City SC.