Marquette men’s soccer signs D.C. United Academy defender Tasker Wheeler

MILWAUKEE – The Marquette University men’s soccer program has announced Tasker Wheeler as a mid-year addition to its 2021 roster.

A center back from Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, Tasker Wheeler has enrolled in classes and will be with the team for the start of practice on Jan. 13.

A 6’1″ defender, Wheeler played at the D.C. United Development Academy for its U19 team for his senior year of high school. He attended The Calverton School while playing for D.C. United. After the season ended, he spent four months playing for Alabama FC to get ready for collegiate soccer at MU.

“Tasker is an ‘all-in’ type of player,” Marquette head coach Louis Bennett said. “He’s so excited to be at Marquette and he brings a certain quality, durability, energy and aggressiveness to the center back position.”

Prior to his time with D.C. United, Wheeler attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., from the time he was 13 years old until his junior year of high school. He committed to MU last year and noted several important aspects that cemented his decision to be a Golden Eagle.

“I chose Marquette for the quality of education as well as the commitment of the coaching staff to compete and win BIG EAST championships,” Wheeler said. “I look forward to playing in one of the top conferences in the country, one that has a deep history of success and producing professionals in the U.S. and abroad.”

Wheeler was ranked as the No. 154 player in the 2020 class by Top Drawer Soccer. He’ll be eligible to play this spring and will have four additional years of eligibility following the spring 2021 season.

“Tasker is the kind of player that puts himself in most challenging situations and clubs he could be in,” Bennett said. “He’s put himself at highest levels he possibly can and has traveled across the world to better himself as a player and as a person.”

As a team, the Golden Eagles went 8-9-1 in 2019 and made the BIG EAST tournament for the second year in a row. MU had four All-BIG EAST players including MLS picks Seagrist (first team) and Prpa (second team). Coan and fellow senior Connor Alba made the third team.