CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson defender Hamady Diop became the second Tiger (Robbie Robinson, 2020) to be drafted first overall in the MLS SuperDraft when Charlotte FC traded up to select the Senegal native. Diop is the fourth top-five pick from Clemson in the last four seasons.
During Head Coach Mike Noonan’s 13-year tenure at the helm of Clemson’s program, the Tigers have had 26 players selected in the annual MLS SuperDraft, with 15 of those players having been drafted during the past four seasons.
Left back Joey Skinner was selected with the 11th overall pick to Nashville SC, and became the eighth first round pick in the Mike Noonan era.
Senior Isaiah Reid was the 34th player off the board, as the Houston Dynamo used the fifth pick of the second round to select the Rock Hill, S.C. native. Reid’s selection marked the fourth consecutive season in which Clemson has had at least three players taken in the MLS SuperDraft.
Hamady Diop • Pick #1
Charlotte FC traded up to $450,000 in general allocation money as well as its first round selection (20th overall) for the right to select Diop first overall. The center back has been a staple of Clemson’s defense over the past two seasons, and is a back-to-back All-ACC second team selection.
Across his 40 starts and 42 appearances for the Tigers, Diop collected seven goals and three assists while anchoring the back line.
Joey Skinner • Pick #11
Skinner transferred to Clemson following his freshman season at UNCG, where he played in 18 matches and scored four goals en route to an All-SoCon first team nod. In his sophomore season at Clemson, Skinner led the team in minutes played (1,744), scoring two goals and adding an assist.
At just 19 years old, Skinner signed a Generation adidas contract on Monday that rendered him eligible for this year’s SuperDraft. He played in all 21 games for Clemson in the 2022 season.
Isaiah Reid • Pick #34
Reid had an incredible four year career at Clemson, playing in 64 games and scoring 14 goals. Most notably, Reid was named the College Cup Offensive Most Outstanding Player after scoring both of Clemson’s goals in the 2021 National Championship victory over Washington.
