KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan head men's soccer coach Chad Wiseman has announced the signing of five future Broncos to National Letters of Intent. For the second-straight year the Broncos have signed the Mr. Michigan Soccer recipient.

Nick Brandstadt, Kason Crall, Brandon Eklund and twin brothers Dalton and Donovan Michael have officially committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at Western Michigan. The five commitments join transfers Kosti Moni (UC Santa Barbara) and Ben Thornton (IUPUI) to round out a group of seven for the 2017 recruiting class.

The five players will be freshmen at WMU this upcoming fall and academically maintain an average high school GPA of 3.67. The group also averages an SAT score of 1220 or an ACT score of 25.

"This year's recruiting class is one of the smallest classes in our tenure," said WMU head coach Chad Wiseman. "We didn't lose much in numbers when you think about just five seniors graduating. Now, certainly what those seniors meant to our program will be hard to replace just like any year. That is always the challenge as coaches, but we feel we have added some special young man, with great character, who are outstanding students and have great abilities on the soccer field.

"With the additions of Kosti Moni and Ben Thornton who arrived on campus in January this class will be seven players strong. This class is full of athleticism, players that are explosive and can change the game in a matter of seconds. As a staff we feel like we have created a winning culture here at WMU within our program. Our student-athletes are winning in the classroom, the community and certainly on the field. We are all very enthusiastic to see how these young man impact our program and make it better."  

2017 National Signing Day Info

Nick Brandstadt
Hometown: East Grand Rapids, Mich.
High School: East Grand Rapids High School
Club: Midwest United
Position: Midfield
Height: 6-1
Weight: 165
Anticipated Major: Business

Accolades:
2015, 2016 All District, All-Conference, All-Region, and All-State Honorable Mention
2015 Varsity Soccer Midfielder of the Year
2012, 2013 ODP Regional Team
2012, 2013 U.S. National Super Y Camp

WISEMAN ON NICK BRANDSTADT
"Nick has been verbally committed to the Broncos for almost two years. He is someone that has lots of versatility to his game. He will compete for any of the back five positions. He has really physically grown so much over the last 10 months and has a college ready body right now. There will be a learning and developing period for Nick but once he adapts to the speed of play he has all the potential to be a very good player. His communication and ability to get his teammates engaged on both sides of the ball is fantastic."

Kason Crall
Hometown: Norwalk, Iowa
High School: Norwalk
Club: Des Moines Menace
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-11
Weight: 170
Anticipated Major: Business

Accolades:
Three-time Iowa State Cup Champion and team captain
Three-time All-State (Freshman through Junior Year)
Three-time State Tournament All-Tournament Team
Won state championships in 2014 & 2016
ODP Region 2 Team

WISEMAN ON KASON CRALL
"Kason is a player we identified at one of our ID camps. He is a box to box center midfielder with a lethal left foot. He has great size, strength, speed and agility which makes him a great fit for us. Kason reads the game very well, can organize his midfield, and is not afraid to get stuck in on the tackle. He is a leader that makes the players around him better. He has great vision on the ball and can play one-two touch when linking up with his other midfielders. He is a workhorse that loves the game and puts in the work to get better every day.  Kason will have a great career in a Bronco uniform when it is all said and done. We're thrilled to have him joining our program."

Brandon Eklund
Hometown: Livonia, Mich.
High School: Livonia Stevenson
Club: CSA Wolves
Position: Defender
Height: 5-7
Weight: 154
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Accolades:
CSA Wolves U16 & U18 teams - NPL national finalist while playing for the Wolves
ODP state and regional player

WISEMAN ON BRANDON EKLUND
"Brandon is a two-year starter for the Wolves Academy that has qualified for the playoffs each year. It is not easy to break the starting lineup in the Wolves Academy, so when we land a player that has, we know we are getting a complete player. He will compete for time right away at the outside back position. He is an exceptional 1v1 defender and is very tough in on the tackle. His ability to keep the ball, connect passes and get up and down the flank has us very excited. What Brandon lacks in height he more than makes up for in physical strength.  He is a competitor that knows what it takes to win and is willing to put in the time and effort."

Dalton Michael
Hometown: Traverse City, Mich.
High School: Traverse City West Senior High
Club: North Storm Tbays/Midwest United
Position: Midfield
Height: 6-0
Weight: 155
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Accolades:
2016 MHSAA "Mr. Soccer"
2016 NSCAA High School All-American
2016 MHSAA Dream Team
2016 First Team All-State, First Team All-Conference

WISEMAN ON DALTON MICHAEL
"It's always nice to land the Mr. Soccer in your home state and this is the second consecutive year we have done so. Dalton is an explosive athlete plan and simple. He will play on the outside in our system, the #7 or #11. He is very good at getting the end line and playing dangerous balls into the box. He has a good frame on him that will develop even more once he arrives on campus. Dalton can score goals and has done so on every team he has ever played on. His pace and quickness will stretch opposing teams' defenses and create more time and space for our central midfielders. Dalton has a strong work rate to go with a coachable attitude. Dalton has all the potential to be an All-MAC level type player."

Donovan Michael
Hometown: Traverse City, Mich.
High School: Traverse City West Senior High
Club: Midwest United
Position: Midfield
Height: 6-0
Weight: 160
Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Accolades:
2016 First Team All-State
2016 First Team All-Conference

WISEMAN ON DONOVAN MICHAEL
"Donovan is loaded with athletic ability. He is awfully fast with good understanding on how to make runs in behind opposing back lines. He is exceptionally quick with an explosive first three steps. Donovan can play anywhere on the outside both in the midfield and on the back line. Donovan will need to get stronger and he knows that, he is a blue-collar type player. His ability to get the end line and create scoring chances is certainly something he will bring to our program."