YellowHammers U23 Pathway to Pro

Mike  Getman has 40 years of experience in Division I College Soccer. He was  the Head Coach of UAB Men's Soccer for 27 years. Over 50 of his past  players went on to play at the professional level.  He is a member of  the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame.

Nathan  Getman has coached at East Tennessee State Univ., Oglethorpe Univ. ,  Georgia Southwestern State Univ., and will be the GK Coach at the  University of Memphis starting in Fall of 2026.

Jaiquan  Crook has many years of experience in helping soccer players become  better athletes. He has worked with UAB Athletics, Lifetime Fitness, and  Hoover-Vestavia Soccer.

  2026 Yellowhammers U23 Roster

Blake Walton GK Mount St. Mary’s

6’4”. Blake is a tall and athletic GK who is capable of making the big save.

Sam Bruns CB Georgia Southwestern State Univ.

6’3” Sam is a natural leader who organizes the team well from his Center Back position. Sam is dominant in the air as well as in the tackle. He is an excellent passer of the ball.

Cade Edwards CB Clayton State Univ.

6’1” with excellent strength and speed. Has the size to play in the center and the speed to play out wide. Plays quick and simple on the ball. An excellent 1v1 defender

Ben Bruns CB Auburn Univ.

A very mobile Center Back who can also play in wide positions. Very solid in the air and excellent 1v1 defender.

Jackson Hartman CB Hoover-Vestavia Soccer

6’5” Center Back who is a natural leader. Constantly talking and organizing. Very mobile and an excellent passer. Dominant in the air. A big threat on set pieces.

Hudson Alexander CB Spring Hill College

6’5” Center Back who is a good passer of the ball and an excellent 1v1 defender. His size makes him a real presence in the air.

Robby Russell CB Lipscomb Univ.

6’2” Center Back with the pace to play out wide. One of the youngest players on the roster, he is also one of the most physical. An excellent 1v1 defender.

Bryce Espinola CB Southern Union State CC

6’ Center Back who is an excellent passer of the ball. Solid 1v1 defender. Very versatile.

Ben Starzl LB ??

6’2” Left Back. Possesses a magical left foot. A great passer of the ball. A set piece specialist who can serve or score on free kicks.

Harper Jones  WB Wallace State CC

6’ Very athletic player who can play on the left or the right. Very good pace and the skill to join the attack.

Luke Alexander RB UAB

6’1” Right Back with excellent pace and the engine to get up and down the field. An excellent crosser of the ball. An excellent 1v1 defender. One of the youngest players on the roster and one of the most dynamic.

James Looney RB Hinds CC

'9" Right Back with great pace and a great engine. Likes to get up and down the field. Excellent 1v1 defender.

Joe Carter DM Lagrange College

5’10” Defensive Mid who is a natural leader. Always in the right spot and always communicating and organizing the players in front of him. Extremely consistent in his performance.

Alan Mata DM North Central College

5’11” Defensive Midfielder with the skills to join the attack. An excellent passer of the ball as well as a force in the air.

Noah Turner AM Covenant College

6’ Attacking Mid with great skills and great pace. Always on the move he is an excellent passer who can also create of the dribble.

Matthew Garcia AM UAB

6'1 Attacking Mid with great skills and vision. Has a knack for creating and scoring goals.

Levi Smith AM Earlham College 

5’10” Attacking Mid who can play in any attacking role. Has great skill and vision. Enjoys setting up goals as well as scoring them.

Reeves Knox AM Southern Union State CC

6’ Attacking Mid with great touch and great vision. Often does the unexpected to create scoring chances for himself and others. Very good passer over distance.

Bryant Parker  AM Felician Univ.

Very quick and technical. Has the skills to unsettle any defense. Works very hard. Very creative attacking player.

Santi Waites LW Bethany College

5’6” Winger who can also play in the center. Superb skills and 1v1 moves. An excellent crosser of the ball. He can also score goals. Great engine to work up and down the field.

Javier Miranda RW Emmanuel Univ.

5’11” Winger with the pace to beat any defender. Great 1v1 moves. Brings a high level of energy to the team at all times. A natural leader thru his work ethic and great team spirit.

Kynu Samuels W Georgia Southwestern State

5’9” Winger with great pace and great 1v1 attacking ability. Spent the spring semester on trial with several pro clubs in Spain.

Christian Ortiz F Huntingdon College

5’7” Forward from Hoover, AL. Played club soccer for HVS. Known for his quick feet and creativity in front of goal.

Thomas Richardson W Southern Union CC

Alexander Chaidez Cruz GK Southern Union CC

5'10” Keeper with great skills and reflexes. Known for his solid decision making.

Gerardo Rodriguez W Huntingdon College

5’6” Very quick and technical with a great left foot. Can play on either side. Very good striker of the ball who can score from distance.

Adrian Gutierrez CB Huntingdon College

5’9” Very quick and tough on the tackle. Has the skill to play out of the back. Reads the game well and makes the simple pass.

James Lovoy Def. Ouachita Baptist