Seven academy players to sign letters of intent

Sacramento Republic FC's first graduating class of Academy players will be inking national letters of intent to play college soccer on Wednesday.

The list of college signees is led by defender David Burns, who has been a regular in U.S. youth international teams, most recently with the Under-20 team. Burns is signing to play college soccer for coach Kevin Grimes at Cal, where the 6-foot-2 central defender will join past U.S. youth international defenders Trever Haberkorn and Joshua Morton on the Bears back line.

Cal has had a good track record in producing central defenders in recent years with Steve Birnbaum and Christian Dean both playing in Major League Soccer.

Also expected to sign on Wednesday are defender Sam Dadzie (Cal State Northridge), defender Mackenzie Harrington (Sacramento State), defender Nabilai Kibunguchy (UC Davis), midfielder Will DuBay (Loyola Marymount), midfielder Jeffrey Dukes (San Jose State) and forward Joe Restani (Saint Mary's), according to a report in the Sacramento Bee.

Restani is currently tied for the team lead in goals with six in 13 games and 10 starts in U.S. Development Academy play. Dadzie has played and started one game, Harrington has played in 11 games and started eight, Kibunguchy has a goal in 16 games and 15 starts, DuBay has a goal in 10 games and eight starts and Dukes a goal in 13 games and 12 starts.

None of the teams the Republic FC players are signing with made the NCAA tournament in 2015. Cal last made the tournament in 2014 while Loyola Marymount and Cal State Northridge both made the tournament last in 2013. Saint Mary's last made the tournament in 2011, Sacramento State in 2010, UC Davis in 2008 and San Jose State in 2003.