Louis Selected As Second Overall Pick in 2026 MLS SuperDraft
12/18/2025 2:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer
The sophomore is the program's first MLS Draft selection.
STATESBORO --- Sophomore forward Ricky Louis heard his name called in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, being picked second overall by FC Dallas in the First Round.
Atlanta United had the original number two overall pick, but FC Dallas coordinated a trade that saw them receiving the pick in exchange for FC Dallas' First Round Pick (no. 12 overall) and $400,000 in General Allocation Money.
Louis led the team with his nine goals while tallying three assists to finish with 19 points in 2025. Louis' two braces on the year came against Presbyterian and then #4 Marshall to pull off the upset. Louis is also only one of 22 players in all of DI to have four or more game-winners on the season. A national and Sun Belt Player of the Week this season, Louis was also named to the Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List. Louis was the first forward to be named to the Sun Belt First-Team since Adam Davie in 2020. He also was named to the final roster of the MLS College Showcase just last week as well. Finally, he recently became the first player in program history to earn All-American honors, landing on the Third Team.
Just yesterday, Louis also signed a Generation adidas contract before the draft, becoming just one of four players in the country to do so. Each year, a handful of top collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players are signed by MLS, with the majority of such players entering MLS through the MLS SuperDraft. Until the end of the guaranteed term of his contract up to three years, Generation adidas players are on a club's Supplemental Roster. Throughout its history, Generation adidas players have significantly impacted MLS and the international stage. Since 2019, nine different Generation adidas players have gone on to represent five different national teams, including standouts Moïse Bombito (Canada), Patrick Schulte (United States), and Dani Pereira (Venezuela). At the 2024 Copa América, 11 former Generation adidas signings participated in the competition.
Not only is Louis the first MLS Draft selection in program history, but he is the highest pick of any Georgia Southern athlete in a major sporting league's draft.
"Getting drafted is a surreal feeling," says Louis on his selection. "It's something you dream about happening, but never quite know if it will or not. I'm grateful for every moment at Georgia Southern because that's where I grew, learned and became ready for this opportunity. Most importantly, I want to thank God for blessing me with this opportunity, my teammates for pushing me and my coaches and staff for helping me become who I am."
"Today is a huge day for Ricky and his family, as well as our program," said head coach Lee Squires." We are very proud of how far he's come, from a walk-on to being the first MLS draft pick in program history speaks volumes about his hard work, commitment and belief in his own ability."
"To have Ricky become a top draft pick and sign a Generation adidas deal, along with three others who are draft eligible, shows how far we've come in such a short amount of time," Squires continues. "This is the standard and expectation of our team moving forward, and confirms our standing ads a program and environment that can develop players ready for the professional level, on and off the pitch. We can be a destination program, not just a stepping stone. Our players, such as Ricky, have worked incredibly hard and bought in, and interestingly enough were not all highly recruited or on full scholarships from day one. They all had a hunger and desire to improve that carried their development. As a staff, we are extremely proud of Ricky and his accomplishments, and we are excited to see what his career brings!"
Atlanta United had the original number two overall pick, but FC Dallas coordinated a trade that saw them receiving the pick in exchange for FC Dallas' First Round Pick (no. 12 overall) and $400,000 in General Allocation Money.
Louis led the team with his nine goals while tallying three assists to finish with 19 points in 2025. Louis' two braces on the year came against Presbyterian and then #4 Marshall to pull off the upset. Louis is also only one of 22 players in all of DI to have four or more game-winners on the season. A national and Sun Belt Player of the Week this season, Louis was also named to the Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List. Louis was the first forward to be named to the Sun Belt First-Team since Adam Davie in 2020. He also was named to the final roster of the MLS College Showcase just last week as well. Finally, he recently became the first player in program history to earn All-American honors, landing on the Third Team.
Just yesterday, Louis also signed a Generation adidas contract before the draft, becoming just one of four players in the country to do so. Each year, a handful of top collegiate underclassmen and youth national team players are signed by MLS, with the majority of such players entering MLS through the MLS SuperDraft. Until the end of the guaranteed term of his contract up to three years, Generation adidas players are on a club's Supplemental Roster. Throughout its history, Generation adidas players have significantly impacted MLS and the international stage. Since 2019, nine different Generation adidas players have gone on to represent five different national teams, including standouts Moïse Bombito (Canada), Patrick Schulte (United States), and Dani Pereira (Venezuela). At the 2024 Copa América, 11 former Generation adidas signings participated in the competition.
Not only is Louis the first MLS Draft selection in program history, but he is the highest pick of any Georgia Southern athlete in a major sporting league's draft.
"Getting drafted is a surreal feeling," says Louis on his selection. "It's something you dream about happening, but never quite know if it will or not. I'm grateful for every moment at Georgia Southern because that's where I grew, learned and became ready for this opportunity. Most importantly, I want to thank God for blessing me with this opportunity, my teammates for pushing me and my coaches and staff for helping me become who I am."
"Today is a huge day for Ricky and his family, as well as our program," said head coach Lee Squires." We are very proud of how far he's come, from a walk-on to being the first MLS draft pick in program history speaks volumes about his hard work, commitment and belief in his own ability."
"To have Ricky become a top draft pick and sign a Generation adidas deal, along with three others who are draft eligible, shows how far we've come in such a short amount of time," Squires continues. "This is the standard and expectation of our team moving forward, and confirms our standing ads a program and environment that can develop players ready for the professional level, on and off the pitch. We can be a destination program, not just a stepping stone. Our players, such as Ricky, have worked incredibly hard and bought in, and interestingly enough were not all highly recruited or on full scholarships from day one. They all had a hunger and desire to improve that carried their development. As a staff, we are extremely proud of Ricky and his accomplishments, and we are excited to see what his career brings!"
Players Mentioned
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