KANSAS CITY, Mo. – AJ Franklin added to his decorated career with another 2023 preseason accolade. The star attacker was named to the United Soccer Coaches Forwards to Watch List. He adds this honor to a Preseason All-MVC nod.
 
Last season, the former transfer student-athlete led Drake in total points (18), goals (8), shots (42), shots on goal (19), and game-winning goals (4).
 
Franklin was joined by two other Missouri Valley Conference competitors in Evansville's Ignacio Diaz and Western Michigan's Charlie Sharp.
 
 
United Soccer Coaches Forwards Watch List
Leo Alfonso, Virginia, Sr.
Palmer Ault, Butler, So.
Finn Ballard-McBride, Kentucky, Gr.
Matthew Bell, Marshall, So.
David Bercedo, North Carolina, Gr.
Taylor Calheira, UMBC, Sr.
Simon Carlson, Georgia State, Sr.
Ryan Carmichael, Hofstra, Sr.
Jelldrik Dalmann, SMU, Gr.
Thad Dewing, Air Force, Sr.
Ignacio Diaz, Evansville, So.
Lucca Dourado, UCF, Sr.
AJ Franklin, Drake, Gr.
Eli Goldman, New Hampshire, Gr.
Josemir Gomez, IUPUI, So.
Gage Guerra, Louisville, Jr.
Maxi Hopfer, Duquesne, Jr.
Alec Hughes, UMass, Sr.
Emil Jaaskelainen, LIU, Sr.
Bojan Kolevski, Cleveland State, Sr.
Stas Korzeniowski, Penn, Jr.
Peter Mangione, Penn State, Sr.
Alex Meinhard, Clemson, Sr.
Brandon Morales, Charlotte, Gr.
Alexander Petraeus, SMU, So.
Jamar Ricketts, Cal State Northridge, Jr.
Charlie Sharp, Western Michigan, Gr.
Jason Shokalook, Akron, Jr.
Tyrese Spicer, Lipscomb, Sr.
Ousmane Sylla, Clemson, Sr.
Mouhameth Thiam, Virginia, Gr.
Hayes Wood, Lipscomb, Gr.