NCAA Men's Goalkeeper Rankings (Preseason Fall 2023)

Seniors

1. Kris Shakes (Penn State)
2. James Lowell (Maryland)
3. Ryan Troutman (Louisville)
4. Lute Lillo Portero (Omaha, Spain)
5. Bryan Dowd (Notre Dame)
6. Holden Brown (Virginia)
7. Ryan Schewe (Georgetown)
8. Sam Fowler (Washington)
9. Eoin Gawronski (Long Island)
10. Michael Collodi (Columbia)

One to Watch: Eoin Gawronski. A bumpy time at Temple, filled with injuries and splitting time, is hopefully in the past for Gawronski as the Philadelphia Union product looks to reset with a transfer to Long Island University. Although not normally known as a soccer powerhouse, LIU has done well for themselves in the past few years and are primed for a breakout year. Several MLS and USL goalkeepers have come from smaller schools, so don’t be surprised to see Gawronski use this opportunity to make a name for himself, assuming he can stay healthy and lean on the basics that made him originally successful at Temple.

Juniors

1. Edu Rodriguez (Rhode Island, Spain)
2. Nate Crockford (Wisconsin)
3. Nathanael Sallah (Omaha, Germany)
4. Alex Lopez (Tulsa, Spain)
5. Alex Bobocea (Loyola (MD))
6. Trace Alphin (Wake Forest)
7. Blake Franzen (Liberty, South Africa)
8. Aurie Briscoe (Rutgers, Puerto Rico)
9. Wyatt Kistner (Florida Gulf Coast)
10. Conrad Lee (Yale)

One to Watch: Nathanael Sallah. Sallah has innumerable tools at his disposal but consistency has eluded him still. Although Sallah has notched 19 appearances for Omaha, he’s yet to nail down the starting spot. Complicating the situation is returning senior goalkeeper Lute Lillo Portero, who offers Omaha a high level of security in goal through steady play. Sallah must once again navigate limited opportunities to prove himself as not only the best goalkeeper at the university but one whom professional sides will be comfortable bringing in.

Sophomores

1. Jay Hibbert (Connecticut)
2. Casper Mols (Kentucky, Denmark)
3. Andrew Cordes (North Carolina)
4. Ben Alexander (South Carolina, Canada)
5. Mitchell Budler (Akron)
6. Juanvi Munoz (UCF, Spain)
7. Jack Morris (Stanford)
8. Luis Castillo (Oregon State, Spain)
9. Logan Erb (San Diego State)
10. Cabral Carter (Pittsburgh)

One to Watch: Jay Hibbert. Hibbert possesses a Zack Steffen-like poise wrapped up in a David de Gea-esque frame, showcasing an interesting blend of athleticism with a front-footed mindset. Hibbert earned early minutes for UConn last season, but the Huskies eventually leaned on graduate student Michael Stone to lead them through conference play. If Hibbert can refine the finer details of his unique approach, look for Hibbert to nail down the starting role in 2023 and potentially insert himself into the U23 discussion for the US’s Olympic run.

Freshmen

1. Julian Eyestone (Duke)
2. Wyatt Nelson (UCLA)
3. Justin Stewart (High Point)
4. Dan Rose (Marshall, Ireland)
5. Jude Bosshardt (Northwestern)
6. Caleb Tunks (Virginia)
7. Patrick Schott (Belmont, Germany)
8. Cody Lindeman (San Diego)
9. Zack Andoh (California)
10. Gavin Roberts (Lindenwood)

One to Watch: Wyatt Nelson. Nelson enters UCLA as one of the Sounders’ best goalkeeping prospects in years, if not the best ever. Additionally, wearing the Bruins badge comes with a certain level of expectation as UCLA was once known as a powerhouse for developing goalkeepers. However, UCLA currently has just two former goalkeepers in the pro ranks (Earl Edwards ’14, Justin Garces, ’22) and the Sounders have yet to earn a high return off of homegrown goalkeepers in over ten years of running the academy. A lot of hopes ride on Nelson reversing the tide for both UCLA and the Sounders academy, but he’ll first have to earn significant minutes in the next few months. Look for former alum and current UCLA goalkeeping coach Juan Cervantes to teach the youngster how to swim in the deep end.

Past Collegiate Goalkeeper Rankings

2022: Preseason and Final
2021: Preseason and Final
2020: Preseason and Final
2019: Preseason and Final
2018: Preseason and Final
2017: Preseason and Final
2016: Preseason and Final
2015: Preseason and Final
2014: Preseason and Final