Butler men’s soccer team unveils 10-player recruiting class
(Via Butler University) – Paul Snape and his staff have signed yet another excellent recruiting class. There will be 10 new faces on the Bulldogs roster in 2019, including two transfers. This group will join Butler’s returners, which include the top five scorers from the 2018 campaign.
Recent classes compiled by the Butler staff have led the Bulldogs to a 2016 BIG EAST Tournament title and a 2017 BIG EAST regular season championship. Butler has made the NCAA Tournament in two of the last three seasons.
Rhys Myers, Nottingham, England/Eastern Florida State College
Myers will transfer to Butler after playing two seasons with Eastern Florida State, where he started all 19 games for the Titans in 2018. Myers was named a 2018 All-American by the United Soccer Coaches Association along with being named NJCAA Division I Second Team All-America. The defender helped the Titans post a program-best nine shutouts on the season, which helped earn him Region 8 first-team honors. In his two collegiate seasons, Myers totaled one goal and five assists.
Coach Snape on Myers: “Myers is a powerful, strong and quick defender who can take an opponent’s best forward out of the game. He is a natural born leader and will bring some steel to our back line this fall.”
Wilmer Cabrera Jr., Bradenton, Fla. / IMG Academy
Cabrera will join the Bulldogs after spending a season with the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the USL. Cabrera appeared in 14 matches for RGVFC after spending three seasons at IMG Academy in Florida. His youth career was spent at the Colorado Rapids Academy, where he trained from 2011 until 2016. Wilmer Cabrera Sr., his father, is a former Colombian National Team member who is currently the head coach of the Houston Dynamo in the MLS.
Coach Snape on Cabrera Jr.: “Wilmer is technical and skillful which allows him to score goals as well as create goals. He has been around the game all his life, so he knows what it takes to be successful at the highest level. We’re very excited to bring Wilmer aboard.”
Hammam “Hemi” Nasser, Dearborn, Mich. /Edsel Ford High School
Nasser committed to Butler after two stellar seasons with Vardar Development Academy. In 2017, Nasser posted 20 goals in 21 games, and through 11 games this season he has already scored seven goals.
Coach Snape on Nasser: “Hemi is a player we’ve been recruiting for the past couple of years and he continues to improve every time we watch him. Hemi can play multiple positions up front and he possesses an abundance of soccer intelligence, but most importantly, he is a wonderful human being who will do great at Butler.”
Perrin Barnes, Aurora, Ill. /Metea Valley High School
Barnes comes to Butler after a stint with Sockers FC of Chicago. The 5-11 defender was named an AP scholar and posted a GPA of 4.0 in the classroom.
Coach Snape on Barnes: “Perrin is without a doubt one of the best natural defenders in the country. He is quick, strong and tenacious and has a wonderful character who will excel at Butler over the next four years.”
Caleb Norris, Grand Blanc, Mich. /Grand Blanc High School
Butler welcomes Norris as the only goalkeeper in the 2019 class. The 6-foot-5 keeper joined Nasser as a member of the Vardar Development Academy, where he was named the club’s captain in 2018-19. Vardar soared to the No. 4-ranked team in the USSDA in 2016-17 with Norris’ help. In the classroom, Norris posted a 3.91 GPA and is a two year member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Snape on Norris: “Caleb is going to improve our goalkeeping unit and make it really competitive. He is hardworking, humble, and dedicated. Those characteristics are going to help him be a success on the field and in the classroom.”
Kyle Hagerman
The 2018 Wisconsin State Journal Boys Soccer Player of the Year is on his way to Indianapolis. Hagerman is a talented left-footed striker from Sun Prairie, Wis., who set records at his high school for most goals in a game (5), season (52) and career (123). He led his team to a 14-6-3 record, which earned them a spot in the Division 1 State Tournament for the first time in school history. Hagerman was also named to the state’s “First 11” team, which recognized him as one of the top 11 players in the state of Wisconsin.
Coach Snape on Hagerman: “The kid just wants to score and win and we’re really excited to see how he develops over the next four years. Kyle is a very humble person and works extremely hard. He is going to be a great fit for our program.”
Dwight “DJ” Hooks, Southfield, Mich. /Stoney Creek High School
With Vardar of the USSDA, Hooks has played three seasons, starting in 74 of the 86 games played from 2015 to 2019. Hooks has experience playing in the midfield, outside back and forward. He has also been named as a top 20 player in the Great Lakes region in both 2017 and 2018.
Coach Snape on Hooks: “DJ Hooks has an incredible work ethic; he’s like the energizer bunny in that nobody outruns him on the field. He has pace, athleticism and the ability to play a few different positions for us. I also think he’s going to help the spirit of this team and be a great addition to the locker room.”
Graham Rieg, Carmel, Ind. /Carmel High School
Rieg excelled with the Carmel Greyhounds soccer team, leading them in goals and assists his freshman and senior seasons. The 5-10 defender has played with the Indiana Fire development academy club team for the past three seasons as well. Reig was honored with the Carmel High School CLASS award his junior year.
Coach Snape on Rieg: “We’ve known Graham for many years and are excited to finally have him on the team. As a player he can play multiple positions thanks to his understanding of the game. Off the field he is a selfless person and will bleed Butler through and through.”
Tommy Visser, Grand Rapids, Mich. /Grand Rapids Christian High School
As a member of the Midwest United FC, Visser helped lead his club to a 12-1-2 overall record and reach the finals of the State Cup in consecutive seasons. As a senior, the midfielder was named team captain, first team all-state, and to the Michigan Dream Team. In the classroom Visser has posted a 4.0 GPA throughout his high school career and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Snape on Visser: “Tommy has great ball skills and his ability to strike the ball is fantastic. He possesses the characteristics that make me think he is going to be a big success here at Butler.”
Jack Woods, Westlake, Texas/Midwestern State University
Woods will return to Indianapolis after one season at Midwestern State University. Woods was a member of the 2017 Butler men’s soccer team, but transferred after his redshirt season.
