By RYAN TOLMICH
MLS has come to terms with four more potential draft picks ahead of the MLS draft.
North Carolina forward Andy Craven, Cal midfielder Connor Hallisey, Akron defender Saad Abdul-Salaam and Tulsa forward Akeil Barrett have all signed contracts with the league ahead of Thursday’s draft. Counting Generation adidas players, the four additions bring the league’s total collegiate signings to 16.
Craven will head into his professional career fresh off a season that saw the North Carolina star named as a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist. The Tarheel forward tied for the nation’s lead with 15 goals last season while also contributing five assists.
Hallisey, a Hermann Trophy semifinalist, finished with nine goals to go with 15 assists in 2014 and was named to the NSCAA All-America Second Team.
Abdul-Salaam contributed three goals and 12 assists in a three-year career with the Zips, while Barrett finished with a team-leading six goals in just 13 games played in 2014.
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What do you think of the league’s latest crop of collegiate signings? Where do you see these four landing on draft day?
Share your thoughts below.
Are these binding contracts or can they still be waived by teams that pick them in the draft? Is there a special roster status for these senior signings?
Pretty sure they’re binding. Like most other US sports I’m sure there’s a pretty standard rookie wage scale with little wiggle room. Since all contracts are technically with the league anyway, I don’t see why they wouldn’t be final contracts.