Orlando City 2026 Super Draft Results: A Mixed Bag but Hopeful Youth
Orlando City just concluded the MLS SuperDraft this week, a draft that has been very successful for the Lions over the past few years. Unfortunately, for us MLS sickos, the draft was not live streamed so picks were either tweeted out in a flurry or they were updated on the MLS sites draft tracker. So lets talk about the draft picks, I’ll rate them, and then provide an overall rating for the draft.
Overview of the Draft Picks
• Round 1, Pick 5-Harvey Sarajian-Forward-Wake Forest (Sophomore)
• Round 1, Pick 9-Nolan Miller-Center Back-Michigan (Senior)
• Round 1, Pick 14-Jaylen Yearwood-Fullback-North Florida (Senior)
• Round 1, Pick 20-Issac Haruna-Midfielder-UNCG (Sophomore)
• Round 3, Pick 14-Mitch Ferguson-Center Back-Notre Dame (Senior)
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| From Orlando City PR Team|Draft Article |
Harvey Sarajian-Forward-Wake Forest (Sophomore)
Courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics
Harvey Sarajian is a Florida guy through and through-originally from Naples, Florida-Sarajian in his youth days played for Florida West, one of the better club teams in Florida, during his youth soccer days. He then made the jump to Naples High School where he not only played soccer but also football and competed in track and field. He was named 5A Player of the Year in his Senior season and was also named All-State/All-Conference/All-Region. Harvey comes from a sports family with his dad playing football at Temple.
Sarajian had two different years in college with his freshman year being much better then his sophomore year. Sarajian started at Georgia Southern his freshman year where he played in 17 games racking up 1025 minutes alongside 4 goals and 6 assists. He collected awards such as 2024 Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year, 2024 Sun Belt Conference First-Team, and was the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week 10/1/24.
His sophomore season was a different story. Sarajian played in all 17 games that Wake Forest had this past year, starting in 15 of them and playing about 886, but his production was not there. He had 2 goals and 2 assists for Wake Forest, most of the action coming in the later half of the season.
According to American Soccer Analysis, Sarajian has a mixed bag of measurables. He ranks 64.6 in total role score for an attacking midfielder. The stat that pops out the most is his creation where he ranked in the elite category. He ranked at a serviceable MLS level for both 1v1 quality and progression. His finishing was also just inside the serviceable category as well.
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| Courtesy of American Soccer Analysis |
At the next level, pundits are conflicted on where he can play. Some think he can play any of the front 3 spots (LW, ST, RW), some have him as a winger, and others think he’s more of “10” then anything else. Personally, based on his game play, he probably looks like a right winger who likes to cut inside or a “10” who will drift around the field. He's still young and he’s one of the youngest players Orlando City took today (outside of Haruna) so he will have time to develop, the question will be can he contribute right away.
Draft Grade: B-, I like Sarajian as a player. He has some really nice intangibles and some of the underlying numbers really like his creation/1 v 1 ability. The only reservation I have is that his production didn’t follow him in his sophomore season. I’m hoping it was just a blip because he has the size and athletic ability to make the jump.
Nolan Miller-Center Back-Michigan (Senior)
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| Courtesy of Michigan Athletics |
Miller spent 4 years at the University of Michigan and developed into a really sturdy and reliable center back. As a freshman, Miller jumped right into the Wolverines starting line up and played/started all 16 games for Michigan. He also racked up 3 goals off of 12 shots. His sophomore season was a similar story, where he again played and started all 18 games for the Wolverines and played 1615 minutes.
In his junior year he went back to his goal scoring ways where he not only notched two goals for Michigan but he also played and started all 21 games for the club. To end his college career, he played and started in 20 games and he had 2 goals and 2 assists.
According to American Soccer Analysis, Miller has some pretty nice qualities for a center back but only scored him out at a .48 for total role score. His control (.62) and his shooting quality (.64) are serviceable at the MLS level. He doesn’t have any super low scores, he just has a lower floor compared to other center backs measured.
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| Courtesy of American Soccer Analysis |
Miller had over 6000 minutes in college as well as 7 goals and 2 assists. He was a two time Second Team All-Big Ten in 2023/2025, Big Ten All-Freshman, and two time academic All Big Ten. Standing 6’ 2”, he used his size to his advantage and really allowed Michigan to have some great seasons while he was there. His head coach at Michigan, Chaka Daley, had some great things to say about the senior a few months ago which gives us an idea of his character. As a right sided center back, he should have a real shot to make the first team as long as he has a good preseason.
Draft Grade: B+, I think Miller was in the next rung down from the elite college center backs but not too far off where they were. With a team desperate for help in the center of the defense, they turned to a player who played a ton of minutes in one of the top men’s soccer conferences and he has the stats to back that up. When you look at his play, he passes the eye test and then some, so you’re happy with him especially for where you took him.
Jaylen Yearwood-Fullback-North Florida (Senior)
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| Courtesy of North Florida Athletics |
Yearwood spent all 4 seasons at North Florida and got on the field a ton for the Osprey’s.
In his freshman year, he played in 16 games where he started 5 and racked up 681 minutes. sophomore year he played and started all 11 games for North Florida totaling 879 minutes.
In his junior year, Yearwood unlocked. He not only played in 14 games (starting in 13) but he also had 5 assists on the season making it his most productive season to date. He play 1011 minutes as well. Senior year he stepped up again where he started and played in all 19 games, provided 6 assists, and scored a goal (a game winner) for North Florida.
According to American Soccer Analysis, Yearwood has the highest rank of all the Orlando City draftees at a 67.0 total role score and there are some attributes to really like in that score. His reactive defending and proactive defending are elite, according to the score card, which has got to make fans really happy. He also has an elite score of chance creation and an above average score for his shooting. His control, 1v1, and progression are all below average but aren’t deal breakers at the fullback position.
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| Courtesy of American Soccer Analysis |
In his 4 years he played 4114 minutes with 1 goal and 11 assists playing in 60 games in his college career. He was a two time Atlantic Sun Conference winner (24/25), ASUN academic honor roll all 4 seasons, and helped North Florida get two births into the NCAA tournament. He’s a great size at 6 foot and also served as one of the captains for North Florida so he has the leadership skills. Orlando City would love for Yearwood to hit the ground running especially with the real possibility that Alex Freeman may not be here much longer.
Draft Grade: A-, Yearwood was my 3 ranked right back on my big board, 5th ranked fullback in total. This guy can play and some may think because he was at North Florida he may not be able to hang at this level. I would say, look again. He consistently stood out on tape and his numbers back that up but also he was captain for the side. That type of leadership is invaluable and he’ll bring that collective locker room spirit to Orlando. I think he has a real chance to compete for the back up right back spot but if for some reason it takes him a bit longer to grasp the system, he’ll be a stellar grab for OCB while he gets up to speed.
Isiah Haruna-Midfielder-UNCG (Sophomore)
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| Courtesy of UNCG Athletics |
Haruna had two seasons in the college game and there have been some bright spots for the Ghanian since he’s joined the college ranks.
In his freshman year, he played in 16 games, starting 12 of them, and was able to score 3 goals and provide 3 assists. He played just under 1000 minutes. In his sophomore year, He played and started all 21 games for the Spartans where he had 2 goals and 5 assists but he did take a lot more shots then he did the year before. He ended the year with 1663 minutes. He had a few awards as well where he was awarded Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, All-SoCon Freshman Team (24), and All-SoCon Second Team (24).
According to American Soccer Analysis, Haruna is the second lowest ranked player that Orlando City drafted at a 49.9 total role score but there are some abilities to note. In terms of control, Haruna is very elite, scoring a .95. He had serviceable numbers for both progression and reactive defending, both needed in the midfield at the next level. His 1v1 ability and his shooting are some of the lowest in his position group.
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| Courtesy of American Soccer Analysis |
In two years at UNCG, Haruna had some bright spots and showed out a few games for the Spartans but I’m not sure if he’ll be able to contribute in the same spots, at the next level. He’s being talked about playing the “10” in MLS but based on his skill set I wouldn’t be surprised if Orlando City move him further back to an 8. I think he still has moments where he can get forward but his forward play was not stellar.
Draft Grade: C-, I like the potential you can see for Haruna at the next level he just doesn’t have it yet and he looks like he needs a fair amount of time to get there. Some pundits said he played the box-to-box role in college but UNCG clearly had him play more forward as more of a “10”. I think his best position at the next level will be the box-to-box role but he’s going to need some time to find his game. I don’t think it would be the worst thing for him to go back to school to get another year under his belt unless OCB has a need for him now.
Mitch Ferguson-Center Back-Notre Dame (Senior)
Courtesy of Notre Dame Athletics
Mitch Ferguson had a strong youth career before joining Notre Dame. He was apart of the Portland Timber academy and captained both their U17/U19 squads while he was there. He played so well that he ended up being the youngest starter in Portland Timbers 2 history and even started some 2022 Portland Timbers preseason matches. He was ranked as the 14th defender in the country for class of 2022 and ranked 38th overall for that same class according to TopDrawerSoccer.
Ferguson not only played all 4 seasons at Notre Dame but racked up a lot of minutes making his way through college.
In his freshmen year he played in all 17 games, started 5 but was still able to get 1 goal and 2 assists playing 932 minutes. In his Sophomore season, he played in 17 games, starting 16, and grabbing 2 assists in 1348 minutes.
Junior year, Ferguson took it up another notch where he played 1391 minutes, played/started in all 16 games, but also grabbed 2 goals with 3 assists. Senior year, Ferguson put the ball in the net where he had 5 goals and 1 assist but he also played/started in 20 games and played 1800 minutes. In his senior season, he helped the Irish record 6 clean sheets and was also their captain. He also grabbed ACC Defensive Player of the Week (9/2/25).
According to American Soccer Analysis, Ferguson doesn’t grade out the best, coming out at a 46.7 total role score. There are two attributes that jump off the page that people will love. For control, he rates out as elite and for shooting quality he also rates out elite. When he goes for goal he knows how to shoot it but the control part is the one I like the most. That to me shows he’s a ball playing center back and I love the idea of Orlando City having a better ball playing center back. He rates average for creation, which further proves his ball playing ability, and just below average for progression. He doesn’t score well for 1v1’s-no one would expect him to-and not too much better for proactive defending. He does have a decent aerial rate of 59% but he can foul a bit often and lose his ground duels at times.
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| Courtesy of American Soccer Analysis |
Four years at Notre Dame is nothing to shy away from and Ferguson was able to get a ton of playing time in college. There are a handful of scouts and analysts out there who love Mitch and have him as their dark horse center back to be great at the next level. He’s a big guy coming in at 6’ 4” and he knows how to use his size. The other positive is he can play either RCB or LCB, so the versatility should help him out there.
Draft Grade: A, To be able to get Ferguson that late in the draft is a coup and Orlando City should be thrilled with where they got him. Again as a senior, he’s logged a ton of time and really had the pedigree to translate to the next level. I think there’s a real possibility that he could have a higher ceiling than Miller but they both will be very solid center backs for depth as they continue to work through the squad.
Draft Picks from Last Year
There were two picks that Orlando City made last year that the club still holds the rights to but did not sign since both decided to go back to school. I want to cover them a bit since the club does have the option to sign them this offseason, if they choose to. As a note, clubs hold on to draft picks signing rights for two years, so for both these players, Orlando has until the end of next year to send them to a contract before their rights expire.
Collins Oduro-Forward-Indiana (Junior)
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| Courtesy of Indiana Athletics |
Before we hit his junior season, Oduro had a solid freshman and sophomore season with Indiana. In his freshman year, he both played and started in 24 games for the Hoosiers totaling 1744 minutes and having 5 goals with 2 assists. In his sophomore season, Oduro played in 20 games, started 17, played 1318 minutes and scored 3 goals with 5 assists.
Last year, in his junior season, he played 19 games, started 18, and had 4 goals with 6 assists in 1545 minutes. Over his college career he’s had 4607 minutes with 12 goals and 13 assists mostly playing left or right wing.
According to American Soccer Analysis, Oduro rates out at a 64.5, which is a serviceable MLS player level. He has 3 stats that really jump off the page: progression (.80), 1v1 (.73), and creation (.75). His shooting quality is the stat that drags him down a bit as he’s below average in that stat.
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| Courtesy of American Soccer Analysis |
Based on the stats from multiple sources and the play that was going on the year, Collins seems ready to sign with Orlando City and while he may not get a ton of time with the first team he could very well get tons of time with OCB. I like him better now than I did last year and I think he still has some room to grow.
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| Courtesy of Marshall Athletics |
Takahiro Fujita was drafted in the 2025 SuperDraft and the Lions hold his rights until Dec 31, 2026. Before college Fujita attended Osaka Gakugei High School in Osaka and played soccer with Cerezo Osaka U18’s. He also made three appearances with the youth national team for Japan at the U15 and U16 levels.
Let’s start with his two other seasons first. As a Freshman, Fujita played in 19 games and had 12 starts. He notched 2 assists and played 1171 minutes. In his Sophomore year Fujita got more time where he played in 21 games, started 15, had 1 goal with 2 assists, and racked up 1252 minutes.
This past season (Junior year) he got a late start due to a leg injury he suffered at the end of his Sophomore season (one of the reasons he decided to go back to school). He played in 13 games this year, started 10, had 3 goals with 1 assist and racked up 766. Minutes. In total he had 3189 minutes playing in 53 games and have 4 goals with 5 assists.
According to American Soccer Analysis, Fujita ranked out at 63.7 last season (better than the two CB’s Orlando City drafted today). He had two attributes that were rated exceptional which was his control (.77) and his shooting quality (.75). His progression was above average (.64) with his 1v1 quality being around average. His reactive defending hurt him the most which was slightly below average.
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| Courtesy of American Soccer Analysis |
Depending on how healthy Fujita is, Orlando City could have another CB ready to join the first team or even OCB.
Overall Draft Thoughts
Many of us didn’t know what to think when Orlando City had four first round picks and six total picks in the draft but one thing we did know: Orlando City has a pretty decent record when it comes to drafting. Let me start by saying this, I thought this was a good draft overall. Are there some picks that I question a bit in terms of where they were taken or how they fit the team? Absolutely, but every fan of every team in every draft does that, post draft. But I think with this draft the title of the article says it all: it was a mixed bag but there’s some youth that makes me hopeful.
For my overall draft score: B. I think it’s a fair grade to give the team considering when they took their picks and who they took in certain spots.
Let’s cover the not so good first: I have questions about Sarajian but not long term or even medium term; my questions are whether or not he’ll be able to contribute in the short term. The club may not need him to, which would be understandable, but at pick 5 you really hope that the guy you draft can contribute relatively soon. I will say this, I hope I’m wrong about Harvey from the jump. I like his film a lot and I love the size/athleticism he brings to the pitch. As I said on Loud and Proud Orlando, I really hope his Wake Forest year was a blip and that he gets right back on track when he joins Orlando City. With his skill set he could be a nice piece to contribute off the bench and change the game for Orlando. Haruna is the one I still haven’t been able to wrap my head around. I think he’s a stash player to OCB or you have him go back to school one more year but I’m not sure why you draft him as high as you do at pick 20. Especially when the team still had other needs when this pick came in and they could have been addressed with a level of ease. I don’t want to dog on the young man too much but I hope Orlando City has a plan for him because he is still quite raw.
The good: the defenders that Orlando City took are the best outside of the obvious top choices. Even then I would argue (due to their US nationality) more valuable. This draft had a plethora of quality defenders but many of them at the top are from different countries, so MLS teams weren’t willing to use the draft capital on a player who would take the international roster spot. Miller and Ferguson are two center backs that could truly be pieces for the future. They both may not be solid starters when it’s all said and done but one probably will be and at worst, the other could be depth. As long as these guys can get up to speed with the differences in play and Papi gives them a chance to play, they should adjust well. The player I think could adjust the quickest is Yearwood. He has all the pieces, says the right things, and seems to be a consummate professional, even at this young age. I would also be curious to see if either Oduro or Fujita get a contract extended to them. Personally, I would extend one to Collins Oduro. He had a nice season last year and could really bring some much needed improvement to the OCB side while he works his way up the depth chart. Fujita could benefit from another year at college considering his injury but if OCB has a spot for him, it may be good for the Japanese defender to have a change of scenery. Nonetheless, I can’t wait to see these guys hit the field.
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