Men's Soccer | 2/7/2017 1:30:00 PM

STATESBORO, GA. – Georgia Southern Men's Soccer Head Coach John Murphy is proud to announce the signing of eight student-athletes to national letters of intent and one graduate transfer. The Eagles continue to bolster their lineup as second-year Head Coach John Murphy gets set for the 2017 campaign. The nine signees join five early enrollees to round out a full signing class of 14 student-athletes.


Arlington, Va. | Butler University
6-5 | 200 | Graduate Student | Goalkeeper

With his undergraduate degree in hand, Robert Flott joins the Eagles for the 2017 season out of Arlington, Va. In Flott's three seasons at Butler, the Bulldogs won the 2016 Big East Tournament and earned two NCAA appearances. He will work towards his Master of Science in sports management.

Coach Murphy on Flott
"Robert is a massive goalkeeper who is transferring from a very strong Butler program. Despite his frame, his feet and distribution skills are a strength and will allow him to spring attacks and also help us maintain possession. Most importantly for a goalkeeper, he is very strong in 1v1's and on dealing with crosses. His presence and communication skills will further compliment all of these attributes. We expect him to challenge for the starting position in goal immediately."


Fairfax, Va. | West Springfield H.S. | SYC Strikers Blue
5-8 | 130 | Freshman | Midfielder

Hailing from the Washington, D.C. metro area, Kareem Gharbi joins the Eagles after playing at West Springfield High School and with the SYC Strikers Blue club team. A 2016 honorable mention all-district player, Gharbi led his West Springfield Spartans squad in assists as a junior. A former team captain with SYC Strikers Blue, he also led his club side in assists last year. An outstanding student, Gharbi owns a GPA in excess of 3.5 and plans to major in accounting at Georgia Southern.

Coach Murphy on Gharbi
"Kareem is a classic playmaking midfielder who can penetrate effectively on the dribble or with a pass through the lines. His balance and agility allow him to draw in opponents and ride tackles which will open the game up for his teammates. He is a good user of the ball and will fit in very well with our style of play."


Landskrona, Sweeden | Landskrona BoIS
6-1 | 165 | Freshman | Midfielder

Continuing a long line of outstanding international players, Victor Gustafsson has signed with the Eagles out of Landskrona, Sweeden. He played his youth soccer for Landskrona BoIS, placing among the top three teams each of the last three seasons, reaching the youth Championships Playoff each year. Gustafsson plans to major in marketing.

Coach Murphy on Gustafsson
"Victor has an athletic frame and outstanding engine that will allow him to get around the pitch effectively for 90 plus minutes. He is a ball winner both on the floor and in the air, but his solid technical base will also help the team link play and start attacks in transition. His competitive nature may be his best attribute, and I look forward to seeing him add to our program's growth in the coming years."


Woodstock, Ga. | Birmingham United
5-8 | 135 | Freshman | Midfielder

Rhys Jeffrey joins the Eagles from Woodstock, Ga. A product of Etowah High School, Jeffrey played his club soccer at Birmingham United (BUSA 98/99 East) where he scored 19 goals during his U19 season. His team won the 2016 Alabama State Cup and the 2014 Georgia State Cup as well as the US Club Regional Championship. In 2014 Jeffrey was named a Super Y National ODP Select Player.

Coach Murphy on Jeffrey
"Rhys is a wide player with good pace whose speed and direct play should fit in well with our philosophy. His energy and quickness will allow him to penetrate with and without the ball. The fact that he works both defensively and in the attack unselfishly should translate well to the college game."


Cornelia, Ga. | Habersham Central H.S. | United Futbol Academy
6-0 | 155 | Freshman | Midfielder

A native of Cornelia, Ga., Alonzo Millsap joins the Eagles after playing for Habersham Central High School and United Futbol Academy. In one season at Habersham Central, Millsap scored seven goals with 12 assists before focusing on Academy soccer. He is the team captain for United Futbol Academy, scoring 21 goals and 37 assists with a pair of hat tricks. He has four Georgia State Championships and one National Championship with his team. Millsap plans to major in athletic training.

Coach Murphy on Millsap
"Alonzo is a well-rounded midfielder who is effective in the attack and resolute while defending. This two way play shows his maturity as he often sacrifices his own game for the benefit of the team. His combative style of play should complement our returning group right away."  


Columbus, Ga. | Jones County H.S. | Southern Aliance Futbol 98/99 Elite
6-0 | 160 | Freshman | Midfielder

Ethan Oulsnam comes to Georgia Southern after a prep career at Jones County High School and club soccer with Southern Alliance. He has twice been named to the Macon Telegraph's All-Middle Georgia and All-Region teams Oulsnam also excels in Cross Country, placing 24th in the 2015 GHSA 5A Championships. He plans to major in pre-pharmacy at Georgia Southern.

Coach Murphy on Oulsnam
"Ethan's commitment and competitiveness allows him to get around the pitch effectively both in the attack and defending. He is an obvious athlete and competitor, but he also has a good range of passing in the midfield. The combination of his physical and technical qualities should allow him to link up with teammates effectively from central areas."


St. George, S.C. | Woodland H.S. | SC Battery Academy
6-4 | 175 | Freshman | Midfielder

Cody Prentiss joins the Eagles after standout careers at Woodland High School and SC Battery Academy. In two seasons of high school soccer, Prentiss was a two-time all-region selection with 23 goals and 19 assists as a sophomore, totaling 30 goals in 33 matches over two seasons. He then shifted his focus to club soccer where he earned a spot as the starting defensive center midfielder for SC Battery Academy in the US Soccer Development Academy system. He also played American Football, setting the school records for most field goals and longest field goal as a freshman. A member of the National Honor Society, he is ranked No. 1 in his class and plans to major in physics.

Coach Murphy on Prentiss
"Cody is another player with great physical tools, but also with the technique and mentality to compliment these skills. He is a good passer of the ball and very strong in the air. We feel he could play in a few positions across the midfield in various roles. He is also a very good student who will add to the continuing legacy here at Georgia Southern Men's Soccer as we always strive for the proper balance of academics and athletics."


Dacula, Ga. | Collins Hill H.S. | Concorde Fire
5-11 | 165 | Freshman | Forward

Edward Raji will follow in his older brother's footsteps when he joins the Eagles next season. The younger brother of former Eagle Emmanuel Raji, Edward played his club soccer with Concorde Fire. This season he has six goals to his name. Raji also played for Kalonji Soccer Academy, winning the 2016 U17B Georgia State Cup. He has played three seasons at Collins Hill High School.

Coach Murphy on Raji
"Edward is a strong target player who can not only combine to create chances for himself and others, but his work rate off the ball allows him to press and help the team on the defensive side of the game. With his impressive frame, he will be a great outlet ahead of the ball as we transition from defense to attack. He has a nose for goal and will add to our attacking options in 2017."


Savannah, Ga. | Savannah Country Day | Tormenta FC
6-0 | 170 | Freshman | Midfielder

A local product out of Savannah, Jack Rittmeyer is familiar with Georgia Southern, having played for Statesboro's Tormenta FC under former Eagle Ben Freakley. The midfielder is set to graduate this spring from Savannah Country Day where he has played three seasons. Rittmeyer is a two-time all-region selection to go with all-city honors in 2016. He plans to major in physics.

Coach Murphy on Rittmeyer
"Jack is a quick, mobile attacker who can play centrally or out wide. He has a great engine and his work rate allows him to impact the game either feeding teammates or creating chances for himself. Despite his attacking instincts, he is also a committed defender out of possession and is strong in 50/50's. His versatility and skill set will provide him with opportunities to impact the team as a freshman."

Georgia Southern's signees join five early enrollees who have already joined the fold at Georgia Southern. Sebastian Carlson, Sam Choi, Sebastian Gregerson, Gonzalo Talavera and Connor Washer.

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