The 2024 MLS Draft is underway with Toronto FC making a major splash at No. 1 overall.

Toronto FC selected midfielder Tyrese Spicer from Lipscomb University with the No. 1 overall pick, the Eastern Conference club announced. The 23-year-old excelled in four seasons at Lipscomb, scoring 29 goals and registering 18 assists through 57 appearances.

“We are thrilled to select Tyrese with the number one overall pick after an exemplary NCAA career,” said Toronto FC General Manager Jason Hernandez. “Tyrese possesses a unique combination of technical and physical qualities that align with our player profile and tactical blueprint. He also has a resilient mindset and a drive to improve, which makes him a great fit for TFC. We look forward to working with Tyrese to accelerate his growth as a player and person while helping us achieve our goals as a club.”

Spicer was named the 2023 Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Player of the Year after he led the ASUN Conference with 14 goals and three assists in 16 appearances. The Trinidad and Tobago native scored in 10-consecutive matches to begin the 2023 campaign and finished the regular season as the ASUN leader in goals, points, shots on goal, goals per game, points per game and game-winning goals.

The midfielder was also named to the 2023 ASUN First Team All-Conference Team, while also earning United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American and First Team All-Region honors. Spicer was also named a semi-finalist for the 2023 MAC Hermann Trophy.

Prior to his collegiate career, Spicer attended St. Augustine Secondary School in Trinidad where he earned top goalscorer honors in 2019 and the Most Valuable Player trophy in 2018.

Toronto FC will hope Spicer can hit the ground running in MLS after the Canadian club failed to reach the league playoffs in each of the last three seasons.