NASHVILLE, Tenn. – With the 2026 NCAA Division I men's soccer regular season kicking off in just over a month, Belmont University men's soccer leader
David Costa has announced the Bruins' newest additions. Belmont welcomes 10 newcomers for the upcoming campaign, including six freshmen and four transfers.
Both freshman defender
Judah McCloud and Akron transfer forward
Nathan Ferguson arrived in the Music City in January and trained with the Bruins this past spring. Belmont's 10-man signing class features five defenders, two midfielders, a pair of forwards and a goalkeeper.
"We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of players to Belmont," commented coach Costa, who is entering his eighth season at the helm. "This signing class addresses key needs across the field, while embodying the character, work ethic and competitive mindset that define our program. We believe these student-athletes will make an immediate impact on our program and continue to strengthen the culture we are building."
"A great deal of credit goes to associate head coach
Cam Olson and assistant coach
Anthony Torres for the countless hours they invested in identifying, evaluating and building meaningful relationships with all 10 of our newcomers," continued coach Costa. "Their dedication throughout the recruiting process has been instrumental in bringing together such a talented and high-character group of young men."
#4 Judah McCloud | Defender | Freshman | 6-3 | Frisco, Texas | Homelife Academy | FC Dallas Academy
- Joined the Bruins in January and played the spring season.
- A native of Frisco, Texas.
- Most recently played for Columbus United FC in USL League Two.
- Played left back for FC Dallas Academy's U18 team.
- Prior to FC Dallas Academy, played for Chicago Fire FC Academy.
- Two of Judah's older brothers, Elias (UIC) and Bowen (Tulsa), also played Division I soccer.
#9 Nathan Ferguson | Forward | Senior | 6-4 | Glen Carbon, Ill. | Akron | Edwardsville HS | St. Louis CITY SC Academy
- Arrived at Belmont in January and played for the Bruins in the spring.
- Spent his first three seasons at Akron in the BIG EAST Conference.
- Helped the Zips to back-to-back BIG EAST Midwest Division championships (2024 and 2025) and consecutive NCAA Championship appearances.
- Played in 31 matches across two seasons at Akron, making five starts as a junior in 2025.
- Scored a trio of goals for the Zips and assisted on another.
- Found the back of the net on three of his five shots on target while at Akron.
- Reached the 2025 NCAA Men's Soccer Championship quarterfinals with the Zips.
- Trained in the St. Louis CITY SC Academy system prior to his collegiate career.
- Led the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) with 14 goals in the spring of 2023 with St. Louis CITY SC.
- Earned four MLS NEXT Pro appearances with St. Louis CITY SC.
#16 Leon De Ciccio | Defender | Freshman | 6-1 | Tullinge, Sweden | Tullinge Gymnasium | Rågsveds IF
- A native of Tullinge, Sweden, where he attended Tullinge Gymnasium and played for Rågsveds IF.
- Previously played for Huddinge IF and the Huddinge IF U19 squad.
- Trained with Tullinge Triangel Pojkarna FK in youth soccer.
#18 Callum Lee | Defender | Senior | 6-2 | Newcastle, England | Mississippi Christian University | Walsh University | Tyne Metropolitan College | Morpeth Town AFC
- Spent last year at Division II Mississippi Christian University (formerly Mississippi College) in Clinton, Mississippi, after playing his first two seasons at fellow Division II Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio.
- Named Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-South Region First Team at Mississippi Christian last season and earned a spot on the All-Gulf South Conference First Team.
- Started in 20 of 22 matches played for the Choctaws last year, assisting on three goals and logging over 1,800 minutes on the pitch.
- Helped lead Mississippi Christian to a 15-3-4 overall record last fall, including an undefeated 9-0-2 mark in Gulf South Conference play. The Choctaws went on to reach the Division II national quarterfinals after capturing the Gulf South regular season title.
- Started in 22 of 31 matches played while at Walsh, scoring a pair of goals and assisting on another. Logged over 1,800 minutes on the field for the Cavaliers.
- Attended Tyne Metropolitan College in Wallsend, England, prior to beginning his collegiate career.
- Grew up in Newcastle, England, and played club soccer for Morpeth Town AFC.
#22 Lucas Vidrascu | Defender | Freshman | 6-4 | Montréal, Québec, Canada | Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf | York United FC Academy
- A part of the York United FC Academy system before heading to Belmont.
- Previously played for Club Soccer Mont-Royal Outremont (CSMRO) and CS Saint-Hubert before his time with York United FC Academy.
- Also played for the Lakeshore SC Semi-Pro team.
- Captained his CSMRO U16 team and was a finalist at the 2023 Québec Cup.
- Attended Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in his hometown of Montréal, Québec, Canada.
- Half Romanian.
#28 Zain Abdelhadi | Defender | Freshman | 6-1 | Nashville, Tenn. | Valor College Prep | Tennessee Soccer Club
- A local product who attended Valor College Prep where he was team MVP and claimed all-region and all-district honors.
- First male athlete in Valor College Prep history to sign with a Division I program straight out of high school.
- Trained with Nashville SC Academy before joining Tennessee Soccer Club, where he was named ECNL Mid-America All-Conference U17 and U16 First Team.
- Helped Tennessee Soccer Club win a U17 conference championship in 2025.
- His father played college soccer at Division II University of Tampa.
#14 John McDowell | Midfielder | Graduate | 5-11 | Chapel Hill, N.C. | North Carolina | C.E. Jordan HS | North Carolina FC
- Joins the Bruins as a graduate transfer from the University of North Carolina.
- Earned his Bachelor of Science in business and sport administration from UNC and is pursuing his master's degree in Belmont's strategic communication and leadership program.
- An Atlantic Coast Conference All-Academic Team member in 2025 and a 2025-26 AD's Scholar-Athlete at UNC.
- Played in 13 matches for the Tar Heels over the last two seasons.
- Converted both of his penalties in shootouts during the 2025 NCAA Championship, including in the first round versus North Florida to advance.
- Signed an academy contract for North Carolina FC's USL League One team at 16 and made his professional debut in 2022 at 17.
- A seven-year team captain in club soccer, earning ECNL Mid-Atlantic All-Conference First Team honors.
- Invited to U.S. National Team training ID sessions for U13-U15.
- Launched two non-profits during his time in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Founder of the Spirit Driven Life, building foundations for spirit-driven success. Founder of Brick x Brick ministries centered around Jesus and built around Acts 2:42.
- Graduated summa cum laude from C.E. Jordan High School.
- Comes from a family of talented collegiate soccer players, including his father, Jake, who was a four-year starter at Holy Cross and played professionally for the Charlotte Eagles.
#23 Elijah John | Midfielder | Graduate | 5-8 | Matthews, N.C. | Liberty | Levine Middle College HS | Charlotte Eagles Academy
- Joins the Bruins as a graduate transfer from Liberty, where he saw action in 50 matches over the last three seasons and made 19 starts.
- Scored three goals and assisted on nine for the Flames, tallying 19 shots on goal. Started 18 of his 19 matches played in 2025, connecting on a game winner against Longwood and assisting on another five scores.
- An Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll regular while at Liberty.
- Earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Liberty this past spring.
- Played club soccer for the Charlotte Eagles Academy, where he was a member of the U.S. Club Nationals championship team. Competed for the Charlotte Eagles U19, Charlotte Eagles USL League Two and Queen City FC (UPSL) teams during his time at the academy.
- Graduated from Levine Middle College High School.
- Both of his parents played Division III soccer at Houghton University.
#19 Aiden Pierpoint | Forward | Freshman | 6-1 | Hagerstown, Md. | Page HS | Tennessee Soccer Club
- Starred at Page High School in nearby Franklin, Tennessee, where he set the school record for goals scored.
- Totaled over 25 goals in each of his last two seasons, including an impressive school-record 36 as a senior, which led all of Tennessee.
- Named Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Class AAA All-State and 2026 District 10 MVP. He was also a finalist for The Tennessean Nashville area's TSSAA Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
- A two-time Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class AAA All-State selection and the 2023 TSSAA Class AAA District 10 MVP.
- Competed for Tennessee Soccer Club and made match appearances in USL League Two.
- Reached the round of 16 at ECNL nationals and scored 19 goals in helping lead Tennessee Soccer Club to a 14-0 conference record. Tabbed ECNL Mid-America All-Conference First Team, scoring 31 goals and recording 22 assists in the fall of 2023.
- A native of Hagerstown, Maryland.
#0 Brody Sucher | Goalkeeper | Freshman | 6-3 | South Lebanon, Ohio | Kings HS | Ohio Elite Soccer Academy
- A standout at Kings High School in Kings Mills, Ohio, where he was varsity captain, an All-American, all-region, all-state and all-district selection, and a first-team all-conference performer.
- As a senior, was named both conference defensive player of the year and Southwest Ohio D2 Player of the Year.
- Led the Knights to a conference, district and region championship in 2025. Selected as Cincinnati.com Player of the Week twice during the season en route to leading Kings HS to the state championship match.
- Spent eight years competing at the club level, including three years with Ohio Elite.
- Won the ECNL National Selection game in Las Vegas in 2025 and the ECNL Conference Cup in North Carolina, earning the Golden Glove award.
- Comes from a family of collegiate athletes, including his uncle, Brian Sucher ('02), who was a distance runner at Belmont.
The Bruins return to E.S. Rose Park for preseason training the first week of August.
In addition to its 10 newcomers, Belmont returns 16 from the 2025 season, including 12 who have earned letters.
The Bruins will host two preseason exhibition matches beginning on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. with the University of Evansville. Belmont's regular season opener is set for Thursday, Aug. 20 against in-state foe Memphis.
All matches at Rose Park are free and open to the public.
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