Midwest Pro Combine Release
 
PONTIAC, Mich. – Missouri State men's soccer senior, Jack Griffin, has been selected to attend the 2016 Midwest Pro Soccer Combine, as announced by combine director, Eric Rudland, on Tuesday (Nov. 15). Griffin is one of 21 players who have been accepted to showcase their talent at Ultimate Soccer Arenas, Dec. 19-20.
 
"It's a fantastic opportunity for me and one I feel very honored to have," commented Griffin. "Playing in front of MLS coach, and other top coaches in the world of soccer, is something that excites me and I can't wait to see what comes of it."
 
In his four years in the Maroon and White, Griffin played in 71 matches and started all but nine of those. He registered five career goals, including one in MSU's 2-1 victory at Oral Roberts this season. Three of his five goals were game-winners, one against Evansville and two against SIU Edwardsville. The defensive midfielder finished his career with 50 shots. He is a three-time all-conference honoree and earned national recognition as a 2015 NSCAA All-West Region Third Team member.
 
The Midwest Pro Combine will foster the nation and region's elite talent seeking to bring in the top 4 players in each position for professional coaches, scouts and agents to identify and evaluate. To ensure the highest quality of talent, along with maximum exposure for the players, the combine will be capped at 60 players, matches will only be played on one field and player applications will be vetted thoroughly to ensure a high standard.
 
The first field of selected players is nothing short of impressive. The list includes the 2016 Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Year, All-Americans, National Champions, Missouri Valley Conference student-athletes and more.
 
Player Name                College/University                    PDL/NPSL/USL
Jack Griffin                  Missouri State University       Des Moines Menace/PDL
Jose Garcia                   Marian University                       Kalamazoo FC/NPSL
Augusto Maciel             University of Charleston            Palm Beach Suns FC/PDL
Benjamin Fitzpatrick     Ohio State University               Michigan Bucks/PDL
Amadou Cisse               Madonna University                  Kalamazoo FC/NPSL
Tom Owens                   Notre Dame College                   Michigan Bucks/PDL
Lalas Abubakar             University of Dayton                  Michigan Bucks/PDL
Dario Saurez                 Cuban National Team                AFC Ann Arbor/NPSL
Francis deVries             Saint Francis University            Michigan Bucks/PDL
Greg Timmer                 Western Michigan University    Grand Rapids FC/NPSL
Hector Morales              Cuban National Team                AFC Ann Arbor/NPSL
Bruno Oliveira               University of Charleston             AFC Ann Arbor/NPSL
Matthieu Braem             Loyola University Chicago        AFC Ann Arbor/NPSL
James Pendrigh            Drake University                          Thunder Bay Chill/PDL
Aleksi Pahkasalo           Lindsey Wilson                           Derby City Rovers/PDL
James Wypych             Drake University                           Des Moines Menace/PDL
Tariq Akeel                   Brown University                            St. Louis FC U23/PDL
Mueng Sunday              Drake University                          Des Moines Menace/PDL
Koty Millard                   University of South Carolina       South Carolina Bantams/PDL
Sam Zisette                  University of Pudget Sound         Kitsap Pumas/PDL
Lindo Mfeka                  University of South Florida          Reading United AC/PDL