NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Kylie Stannard, the 5K Corral Head Coach of Yale men's soccer, will welcome a strong Class of 2027 to campus this fall. Simon Adjakple, Joseph Farouz, Constantin Jung, Noah Leddel, Nick Miller and Ryder Mills all bring strong credentials on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome these six student-athletes and their families to our Yale men's soccer family," Stannard said. "They check all the most important qualities we look for in our players: elite character, elite students, elite competitors, and elite soccer players. 
 
"We have some very big holes to fill after losing a very experienced and influential group, but we think this group has the mentality and ability to elevate our program even further during their careers.  In addition to high level club experience, this group brings players that have played in professional environments, as well as competitive international experience.  I want to thank my current and former staff for their time and efforts in helping to bring this group together."
 
The six join a Yale program that has enjoyed tremendous success in recent years. Last fall, Yale finished the regular season with a 7-4-5 overall record that came against a very challenging schedule that included four games against teams that finished in the national RPI top 21. The Bulldogs earned draws against two teams in the RPI top-12 – Duke and Cornell and also posted a strong 6-1-3 road record. Yale has now had a winning overall record in each of the last four seasons (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022), the longest streak since the Bulldogs posted five straight winning seasons from 1996 to 2000. 
 
Here is a closer look at the Class of 2027: 
 
Simon Adjakple
Forward/Midfielder
6-1, 165
Kings Point, N.Y.
Great Neck North
Queensboro FC
 
Club: Most recently played for Queensboro FC, which finished third in the UPSL Nationals in 2022 and qualified for the second round of the US Open Cup… Club also was second in the USL Academy national playoffs... Also played for Metropolitan Oval, which captured the U19 Northeast MLS Next Cup championship… Was selected as a Top-5 Player in New York/New Jersey by TopDrawer Soccer… Received multiple invitations to U.S. National team regional market trainings… Was the first ever signing to the New York Cosmos Academy… Invited to train with Arsenal on behalf of the Puma Elite program.
 
Personal: Interned with New York State Senator Anna Kaplan and New York State Assemblymember Gina Sillitti… Four-year member of High School Chamber Orchestra… Sister Amie was part of the gold medal winning team at the 2019 World Junior Synchronized Skating Championship.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR ADJAKPLE
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Kylian Mbappe and Alphonso Davies because of their ability to impact the game in multiple ways. They are both dynamic players who are lightning quick but also have the technical flair to create danger at any moment in a game. As a winger/fullback myself there are so many aspects of their game that I model my game after. Being able to watch greatness unfold from two young men who are becoming world class players is truly a blessing."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My father because of the values that he has instilled into me. Growing up in a small village of Benin, West Africa, to eventually capitalize off of the American Dream, and obtain a PhD in mathematics as well as become a successful engineer is inspirational. I would not be the resilient, and strong-minded individual I am if it weren't for my father. He taught me regardless of what situation I'm in to never give up or feel as if achieving something is impossible. Nothing successful in life comes without trials or tribulations. I am grateful to have a father who shaped me into a young man ready to conquer this next chapter in my life."
 
Why Yale? "The moment I stepped onto campus for my unofficial visit, I knew Yale was home. After interacting with coach Kylie and talking with some of the current players, l simply couldn't see myself at any other school for the next four years. The ability to combine a world class education and a great soccer program was something unique only Yale could offer. Being able to attend an institution renown all across the world is simply a blessing and I can't wait to further my academic and athletic career here."
 
Stannard on Adjakple: "Simon is very passionate about the game and will further grow our competitive soccer culture.  He has been in great environments with NYCFC, New York Red Bulls, and Met Oval.  He also dedicated this past year to raising his game even more in his gap year.  He can play as a winger or an outside back and he is fantastic in attacking transition moments.  He is decently two-footed which gives him versatility to play on the right or left.  He will immediately make us better and push other guys on the team."

 

Joseph Farouz
Forward
6-0, 165
Katy, Texas
University Prep
Houston Dynamo
 
Club: Played for the Houston Dynamo since 2015, including most recently with the MLS Next program… Scored 13 goals and added four assists in 13 games with Dynamo MLS Next U17 team… Scored two goals and had an assist in the 2020 Generation Adidas Cup… Traveled to Spain and England with club… Top scorer for U17 team… U15 Player of the Year… U15 Brian Ching Academy Golden Boot recipient.
 
International: Two-time Egypt National Team U20 call up.
 
Personal: Worked with Egypt 12% project, which fund raised to support a number of Coptic families in Egypt to alleviate severe life conditions… Active with Dynamo Charities.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR FAROUZ
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Mohamed Salah as he paved the way for Egyptian soccer players in foreign countries."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "Mohamed Salah is also my hero as I idolize the amount of charity work he does for all Egyptians."
 
Why Yale? "Yale opens doors that would have never been opened by any other collegiate program. Selecting Yale allows me to pursue the highest level education possible while playing soccer with a program that will soon be a collegiate powerhouse."
 
Stannard on Farouz: "Joseph might be one of the most under-the-radar players in the country.  He was a top player at the MLS Next academy level, including opportunities with the Egyptian youth national teams.  He had professional opportunities in Europe but decided to commit to Yale and has been in a professional environment with Houston Dynamo 2, as well as their U20 team.  He is capable of playing as a central striker or winger and has a fantastic mentality to press and counter-press with great fitness and work rate.  This mentality and work ethic helps create opportunities, and he has the ability to be clinical around the goal."


 
Constantin Jung
Goalkeeper
6-6, 205
Kassel, Germany
Northfield Mount Hermon
 
High School: Spent one season at Northfield Mount Hermon where he posted a 12-4 record and made 63 saves in 14 games… Named all district as a senior at Engelsburg Gymnasium in Germany.
 
Academic Honors: Named to Dean's list at Northfield Mount Hermon… Earned academic high honors.
 
Personal: New England Food Bank volunteer… Big fan of the Schalke 04 club team.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR JUNG
 
Biggest soccer influence? "My soccer influence comes from the German national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. He revolutionized the stereotypes of a keeper and established the term sweeper keeper which serves as an inspiration for my type of playing- high risk, high reward."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My idol beside my favorite goalkeeper is my dad, who taught and teaches me life lessons and greatly influenced my human being."
 
Why Yale? "Because to me, it is perfect university where the combination of both an excellent soccer program and a top academic institution will provide me incredible opportunities. Yale will be great place for me to grow in the classrooms, on the soccer field and across the greater campus. I am a unique and passionate person who will be proud to become a member of the Yale community."
 
Stannard on Jung: "Constantin has an imposing presence at 6-6, but more importantly, he brings a very rare blend of all-around skillsets as a goalkeeper. He is equally strong with his ability on aerial balls, distribution, shot stopping, and quality handling ability. He is the epitome of a `modern day' goalkeeper.  He has spent the last year making the cultural and academic transition from Germany which will serve him well in his next challenge here at Yale. He will undoubtedly push our current goalkeepers to be even better from day one and has great potential to be a No. 1 and All-Ivy caliber in the future."


 
Noah Leddel
Defender
6-1, 185
Happy Valley, Hong Kong
Northwood School
Black Rock FC
 
High School: Attended the Hong Kong International School before moving to the Northwood School in 2021… Co-captain as a senior… Scored eight goals from center back position as a junior… Helped lead team to two Northwood Invitational championships… Team won HKFA Youth League with an unbeaten 20-0-1 record in his first year.
 
Academy: Played for the prestigious Black Rock FC.
 
International: Member of the U23 and U22 Philippines National Team… Represented the Philippines at the 2023 SEA Games starting all four matches and totaling 320 minutes.
 
Academic Honors: Brown University Book Award… Four-time Dean's List member.
 
Personal: Played basketball and rugby in Hong Kong… President of the A Cappella club… Volunteer for Cambodian Children's Fund… Grandfather was Kareem Abdul Jabbar's tutor at UCLA.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR LEDDEL
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Sergio Ramos, for his fearlessness, passion and desire to win every time he steps on the pitch."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My parents. They work so hard and sacrifice so much to allow me to continue to play the game I love and chase my dreams. Without them, I wouldn't anywhere close to where I am today."
 
Why Yale? "Stepping onto campus for the first time, it felt like home right away. After meeting the coaches and the current members of the team, the culture and environment was something I knew I wanted to contribute to be a part of. Yale is a place where I knew I could grow and learn more as a person, student, and soccer player."
 
Stannard on Leddel: "Noah came to us late in the process and we are fortunate to have it come together.  We have a huge need to improve quality in our backline and Noah has the potential to contribute right away. He brings an all-around skillset as a defender with his competitive desire, 1v1 defending ability, athleticism and physicality, good soccer IQ, two-footed passing ability, good passing range, quality in the air, and good communication and leadership potential.  We are very excited for Noah's potential." 



 
Nick Miller
Defender
5-9, 165
Hopkinton, N.H.
St. Paul's School
Seacoast United U19
 
High School: Played two seasons at St. Paul's School… All-NEPSAC honorable mention selection as a senior… Named All Lakes Region as a junior when team played only Lake Region games due to pandemic… Scored 13 goals and added eight assists in 18 career games.
 
Club: Played for Seacoast United U19, serving as co-captain for 2022-23… Club qualified for MLS Next U19 playoffs in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
 
Academic Honors: Graduated with distinction in mathematics, humanities from St. Paul's.
 
Personal: Aunt Katherine Koegler played lacrosse and soccer at Yale… Helped to tutor younger students at the Pro Project's Center of Excellence.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR MILLER
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Jordi Alba is a fullback I have always looked up to.  As a Barca fan growing up, I admired how fast he was and how much he would contribute to the attack while also being sound defensively against some of the best wingers in the world.  He has an amazing engine to make overlapping runs and has the endurance to go 90 minutes.  These are attributes I've focused on as I have gotten older and are critical to the role of a modern fullback."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "Aside from my parents, Tom Brady is my idol, and I wrote about him in one of the essays for my Yale application. I deeply admire his work ethic, dedication to his craft, and self-belief and determination to achieve his dream of playing professionally despite early setbacks in college and the NFL Draft.  Tom was not necessarily expected to succeed in the way he has, but he ultimately became the greatest quarterback of all time through consistency, self-belief, and his winning mentality. I've tried to mimic Tom throughout my young life and have repeatedly looked to his story as a model whenever I have faced adversity in something I am trying to achieve."
 
Why Yale? "Yale was my dream school from the moment I began my recruiting process. The world-class academics and an elite division one soccer program were everything I was looking for in a school. In addition, I wanted to be in a place and around people that would push me constantly to fulfill my maximum potential, and that was exactly the energy I felt from the coaching staff and the soccer team."
 
Stannard on Miller: "Nick is coming off a great year of captaining his Seacoast team to a quarterfinal appearance in the MLS Next national championship playoffs. He has been compelled to elevate his game over this past year during his gap year. In addition to his time with Seacoast, he has been all-in with his development, including the pro-project program in Boston.  He is leader on and off the field and has the potential to compete for minutes in our backline this coming season."


 
Ryder Mills
Midfielder/Forward
5-11, 170
West Chester, Ohio
Lakota East
FC Cincinnati
 
Club: Played for FC Cincinnati… U19 Club finished second in the MLS Next Flex in 2022-23…Scored five goals to help U17 Club win group stage of MLS Next Flex in 2021-22… GA Cup was canceled due to pandemic in 2020-21… Scored four goals for U15 in GA Cup pre-tournament games in 2019-20.
 
Academic Honors: High Honor Roll in every quarter at Lakota East High School… Graduated with Honor's Diploma.
 
Personal: Has worked with FreeStore and FoodBank community organizations… Music is a passion… Plays four instruments… Had an opportunity to train with USMNT in summer of 2022 when team was in Cincinnati for a friendly match vs. Morocco.
 
3 QUESTIONS FOR MILLS
 
Biggest soccer influence? "Steven Gerrard because of his leadership, his willingness to never give up, and he has always believed in himself."
 
Do you have an idol or hero? "My great grandfather Lawrence Snowden, who was a three-star general in the Marine Corps. He passed away when I was 12, but I believe I inherited his discipline, work ethic and mental toughness.
 
Why Yale? "As an accomplished athlete and student, my decision to attend Yale includes both Coach Kylie and his impact on the soccer program combined with the opportunity to attend such an esteemed university. Yale provides both a competitive environment for me to continue to develop as a player, as well as grow as a person and young professional."
 
Stannard on Mills: "Ryder was recently named one of the top 44 players in MLS Next to participate in the MLS Next All-Star game. He helped lead his FC Cincinnati U19 team into the playoffs while also training and playing consistently with FC Cincinnati 2.  Ryder can play anywhere in the attacking front six and has the potential to contribute to our current group right away in several positions.  He is equally strong in his ability to control the ball in possession, while also being a constant threat to create and score goals. Just as importantly, he values the defensive work that is needed to be successful."