VMI men’s soccer signs 12 new Keydets for 2023 recruiting class

LEXINGTON, Va. – Virginia Military Institute (VMI) men’s soccer head coach Nick Regan announced his 2023 recruiting class, a diverse 12-person group.

“While building this class, it was important to recruit young men that I believe fit the mold of a VMI Cadet,” said Regan. “These young men have distinguished themselves in the classroom and on the soccer field and are fully prepared to succeed at VMI.

“I am particularly proud of our ability to recruit players from diverse playing backgrounds. Of the 12 recruits, five have played abroad in countries such as Germany, Jamaica, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Spain. One has represented his National Team at the youth level, with many others achieving All-District, All-Region, All-State recognition, and one named Midfielder of The Year in his respective state.

“We are excited to welcome each and every one of these young men into the program and can’t wait to see what they achieve. Rah Virginia Mil.”

See below for look at each of VMI’s incoming recruits:

Kyle Grant

Position: Forward
Hometown: Montego Bay, Jamaica
Club: Fredericksburg FC
High School: Courtland High School
Achievements: First Team All-District and Region, All-Area Honorable Mention. 18 goals and 7 assist junior year, 12 goals and 5 assist for club. U15 Jamaican National Team.
Academics: Majoring in Business Management Commissioning in the Air Force.

Amari Benjamin

Position: Midfield
Hometown: Haymarket, Virginia
Club: VA Union ECNL
High School: Battlefield High School
Achievements: 2nd Team All-District in 2022, Led HS team in Goal Contributions with 16 (12 assists and 4 goals) in 2023. Played abroad in Costa Rica.
Academics: Majoring in Economics and Business and plans on commissioning into the Army

Jesse Lee

Position: Midfield
Hometown: Dacula, Georgia
Club: GSA ECNL
High School: Mill Creek High School
Achievements: 2023 Region 8 7A Midfielder of the Year. 10 Goals & 11 assists in 2023.
Academics: Majoring in Business and Economics.

Luke Bornstein

Position: Midfield
Hometown: Kingwood, Texas
Club: Rise SC MLS Next
High School: Kingwood High School
Achievements: 1st Team All-District, Member of MLS Next played against FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City, Real Colorado, Minnesota United. Played in Spain for IDA Valencia.
Academics: Majoring in Business and Economics, Plan to commission as an officer in the Navy.

Yeirin Mejia

Position: Forward
Hometown: Cortes, Honduras
Club: Burke Athletic Elite
High School: Westfield High School
Achievements: 2nd team All-District. 2023 – 26 Club Goals and 8 Assist with 9 goals and 7 assist in High School
Academics: Majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Santiago Rocha

Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Armenia, Quindio. Colombia
Club: EPSL N-LITE/NOVA
High School: Arlington Community High School
Achievements: Presidents’ Cup National finalist, Golden glove winner and Best XI.
Academics: Majoring in Computer Science.

Freddy Ferguson

Position: Midfield
Hometown: Ashburn, Virginia
Club: FV Biebrich 02 – Verbandsliga Hessen Mitte (Germany)
High School: Briar Woods High School
Achievements: 1st Team All-Region, 6 goals and 5 assists for FV Biebrich 02 last season.
Academics: Majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

Conner Reid

Position: Defender
Hometown: Midlothian, Virginia
Club: Richmond Kickers ECNL
High School: Midlothian High School
Achievements: 2nd Team All-Region. ECNL National Championship Tournament 4 years, VPSL Champions 4 years, State Cup Champions.
Academics: Majoring in Business and Economics with a concentration on finance.

Jack Miller

Position: Defender
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia
Club: Richmond Kickers ECNL
High School: Benedictine College Preparatory
Achievements: All-state honorable mention 2021-2022, 2nd team all-state 2022-2023 5 goals 4 assists 2022-2023 Benedictine College Preparatory, 3 goals 6 assists Richmond Kickers,
Academics: Majoring in Civil Engineering.

Adhbuth Sista

Position: Midfield
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Club: Fairfax Brave ECNL
High School: Osbourn Park High School
Achievements: One of the leading goal contributors for 3 years played at Osbourn Park. 6 goals and 3 assists in 7 starts in 2023 far in high school. 2019-20 NPL State Runner up with 20 goals and assists. Former U.S Soccer DA Academy.
Academics: Majoring in Business and Economics.

Joseph Burton

Position: Midfield
Hometown: Stephens City, Virginia
Club: Blue Ridge United
High School: Sherando High School
Achievements: 5 Goals in 2023 Season helping his team to a 7-9-1 record.
Academics: Majoring in Mechanical Engineering

Tanner Ellis

Position: Forward
Hometown: Sealy, Texas
Club: Houston Dynamo West
High School: Sealy High School
Achievements: Final two years of High School had 30 Assists & 13 Goals (started 46 games) All-District, All-Region, Academic All-State
Academics: Majoring in Business & Economics