2026-05-28, 01:23 PM - Word count:
(This post was last modified: 2026-05-29, 12:58 PM by nckkss. Edited 1 time in total.)
We thought it would be fair to talk to the players affected by the draft themseles – the prospects. We spoke to some of the highly rated players from the class of Season 26 and can exclusively bring you their answers.*
First of all, we caught up with Reece Munro @Riipsaw , who spent their academy season at Port Royal, alongside fellow Scotsman Barry McGlynn @Definia .
We started by asking them both how they felt their season went:
RM: I think it's been a very tumultuous season for us, we really put the effort in but the effort unfortunately didn't reflect in the performances. Personally I tried every day to work harder and be better, hopefully that was recognisable to the fans and management!
BM: I think it has been an absolutely amazing season, perhaps one of the best. To go into the last matchday of the season with a possibility of 3 different teams picking up the trophy speak s volumes to that. VFE to put in such a season long strong performance only to be pipped on the last day was scintilating stuff! Unfortunately my own season was pretty average, we just could never hit the ground running, our very poor start doomed us even though towards the end of the season we were able to pick up some good results.
How do you feel about your possible draft position? Who will go first?
RM: I try stay modest and humble but with the effort I have put in during training I'd really like to see myself in top 5 at least... McGlynn and I have a "friendly" rivalry so most people would say him... I would never utter such words in public though.
Munro has a wry smile with his teammate, who answers the same questions with the humility and temperament he’s shown all season long.
BM: I'm unsure, I'm being touted for first by the press and whilst that's possible, it's not a foregone conclusion. There are some really good players this class and some up the top of the pile would be better fits to some organizations than myself. I can easily see myself go 4th just as much as others can see me going 1st.
So who will go first?
BM: I think Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited will be first pick. Great guy, great player and a man with high aspirations to take up managerial positions within orgs, where as for myself it's not a near future goal.
So we called Homme @o1playz himself to see if he felt the same, or if the feeling was mutual. Homme has been an immense talent in an Istanbul team full of future stars. What did he have to say on the matter?
JH: I’ve seen a lot of speculation of me going top 3. I’ve had great conversation with all of the top 5 teams, and I see going there as a lock. Where within the top five I am just too unsure to tell…
So who will go first overall?
JH: McGlynn for sure. He has been such a great person to talk to, spectacular earner, great bank. Everything you want in a player.
Wow, well McGlynns said you! Who would you pick if you were the OM?
JH: Me because I'm biased, but honestly I would also pick McGlynn first. He has been great to everyone, that's for sure I guy I want in my Locker Room.
You looked in decent form this academy season, are you happy with your performances?
JH: I really enjoyed my academy season. I feel like my on-field performance was cut shorter than it could've been in some games, but in others it was so fun to watch my team do well. Not to mention my manager and teammates were great to me. 9/10 overall, I loved it.
So another vote for McGlynn, speaking once again not just to his performance, but his character.
Dennis van Huntelrooy @Jeanious also generously gave us his time to answer some questions too, with a quick phone call as he himself was preparing for the draft.
How would you rate your academy season?
DvH: From my own perspective I really enjoyed it, I'll rate it a solid 8/10. Could have been better if we won the league
Where do you think you’ll go in the draft?
DvH: I have no idea, I've spoken to I think every club and all of them seem fun and interesting in their own way. I have no real preference. I believe it will be a mid-table team in terms of picking order.
Who do you think will be the first overall pick?
DvH: Probably McGlynn. He is willing to do whatever the team needs
Imagine you’re an OM with the first pick, who would YOU pick first?
DvH: Easily myself. I am handsome, down to earth, a genius, absolute baller on the pitch, writer of the best articles with colorful graphs and most importantly very humble. Just to name a few reasons.
You're certainly a strong contender! Who do you think will be the biggest surprise of the draft?
DvH: I don't think there will be any big surprises.
CLICK
Straight to the point, but yet another vote for the Scotsman Barry McGlynn, gaining so much respect from his peers.
When we caught up with Sei @xyan at the airport, they disagreed.
SS: Let’s start with what might be a surprise to some, but would not actually be a surprise at all. Ignignokt could very well be a top3 draft pick, despite the late timing in joining the class. A real surprise though would be Jimothy Erickson not going first round. He’s this class’s unsung heroes... also strikes me as a perfect fit for any locker room.
Jimothy @GingerJLD agreed when we video called him at a training camp
JE: I think i will be the biggest surprise.
Oh really, do you think you will go first pick?
JE: I think Barry McGlynn… Im hoping to go in the first 10 picks fingers crossed.
So, still not picking yourself first? Who would you go for?
JE: I’m taking Barry McGlynn.
This time, S Sei couldn’t help but agree:
SS: Who I think goes 1oa and I would take 1oa personally is both the same: Barry McGlynn.
And what about your own draft position?
SS: Honestly it’s hard to say where in the draft... I am likely a first rounder but that’s not what matters most. There is also a lot of competition there, both in quality and quantity. It’s about what you can provide to the team on and off the field. I hope I can add to the atmosphere of my future team’s locker room. With that, there are a few teams I think I could fit well with as a landing spot, and that’s more important than where I land in the draft order.
Another player who has been up at the top for so long is the Canadian player Star Scream @Starscream , who seems to be thinking along the same lines as everyone else!
StarScream: Barry McGlynn, he took over for Port Royal after the previous manager left… (although) overall Port Royal season 4/10.
Nick Kasak @nckkss also weighed in with the same opinion when we caught him attempting to pack his bags at the Accra training facility.
NK: McGlynn will surely go 1st pick all day long… any org will be lucky to have him. If I was an OM, I’d try to get him before anyone else does.
What about your own placement?
NK: At the beginning I was itching to go top three, but its been so competitive I’d be happy to just go in the first round. All the scouts I’ve spoken to have been really positive, but there some teams I still haven’t heard from, what does that mean?
Maybe that means they don’t think they’ll get you?
NK: I think the whole thing is wide open. I’d like to surprise people and go very early, but I think you look at Erickson and Ignignokt, even Blaise N’Kufo, they’ve got good relationships with teams and positions that are in demand.
Really? Blaise N’Kufo?
NK: You heard it here first. Now, can you pass me those socks?
We tried to speak to Kairo Vox but were advised he was helping Nottinghamshire Police with some inquiries, so the last word went to Joe Mormor @Haramcha ; We called Joe over the phone, and began by asking how he felt about his own season
JM: It’s been a great experience, and the comeback after our first two matches felt amazing. We really thought we had it. But life doesn’t always go the way you want it to. We were heartbroken for a few days, but the staff sent us off in such a great way, I’m sure the next group of players will be back on top.
Who do you think will go first pick in the draft?
JM: I have to support my friend Nacho Kusora. He’s the top scorer. So dangerous! Also McGlynn, very talented player.
Lots of people are backing McGlynn to be first overall. If you were the OM with that first pick, who would you go for?
JM: Depends on the positions, no? Maybe Peña or Kusora, the record breakers! Or McGlynn, Nick Kasak. There are so many big talents.
What pick do you hope you will be?
JM: That’s a hard question! I want to be one of the first, but even in my team, I don’t think I’ll go first. There are so many good players! Maybe around 10th? At least top 20, I hope.
Do you think there will be any surprise picks early on?
JM: Maybe a goalkeeper! Also Dante von Wolfe and van Huntelrooy, for all their goals. Only if someone needs a striker.
So, in summary, most of the class are in agreement that Barry McGlynn may well be first pick based on his academy performance, but what do you think? Perhaps his destiny lies elsewhere, and Jimothy Erickson, Joshua Homme or Nacho Kusora take the crown, as they surely deserve. Either way, the picks further down seem much more mysterious. Be sure to tune in to the Season 26 Prospect Draft and see if your predictions come true.
EDIT:
Shortly after this was first published, we received a phone call in the middle of the night from Kairo Vox, who immediately starting telling us about their academy season before we could start recording.
KV: ...it’s been great! Made some great friends, learnt a bunch and can’t wait to start in an org.
I'm sorry, who is this, how did you get this number?
KV: I think my draft position is pretty locked based on certain aspects and conversations so can see me going mid first round
Are there sirens in the background I can hear?? Are you ok?
KV: Barry McGlynn what an absolute legend... I think he’s awesome, top earner, top banter, really active, has 2 jobs now I believe 1 on BoD as an intern then also an academy manager. Great guy think he’ll single handedly turn any org from silent to daily activity in the Locker Room.
Those are definitely sirens and they're getting louder and louder. What's going on?
KV: I’m backing my boy Jack Pow, if he doesn’t go first round I think it’ll be a mistake all round, really active, has a job as a grader top 10 I believe, loves writing his lore articles and genuinely aside of being my best friend outside of sim worlds he’s a beautiful human
Well, thanks so much for answering my questions... do you have anything else to add?
The call was mysteriously cut off, but Mr Vox's lawyers insist that he is merely a "person of interest" and is under obligation to stay in the country.
*Huge thanks to all the contributors, as tagged. Their words are their own.
First of all, we caught up with Reece Munro @Riipsaw , who spent their academy season at Port Royal, alongside fellow Scotsman Barry McGlynn @Definia .
We started by asking them both how they felt their season went:
RM: I think it's been a very tumultuous season for us, we really put the effort in but the effort unfortunately didn't reflect in the performances. Personally I tried every day to work harder and be better, hopefully that was recognisable to the fans and management!
BM: I think it has been an absolutely amazing season, perhaps one of the best. To go into the last matchday of the season with a possibility of 3 different teams picking up the trophy speak s volumes to that. VFE to put in such a season long strong performance only to be pipped on the last day was scintilating stuff! Unfortunately my own season was pretty average, we just could never hit the ground running, our very poor start doomed us even though towards the end of the season we were able to pick up some good results.
How do you feel about your possible draft position? Who will go first?
RM: I try stay modest and humble but with the effort I have put in during training I'd really like to see myself in top 5 at least... McGlynn and I have a "friendly" rivalry so most people would say him... I would never utter such words in public though.
Munro has a wry smile with his teammate, who answers the same questions with the humility and temperament he’s shown all season long.
BM: I'm unsure, I'm being touted for first by the press and whilst that's possible, it's not a foregone conclusion. There are some really good players this class and some up the top of the pile would be better fits to some organizations than myself. I can easily see myself go 4th just as much as others can see me going 1st.
So who will go first?
BM: I think Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited will be first pick. Great guy, great player and a man with high aspirations to take up managerial positions within orgs, where as for myself it's not a near future goal.
So we called Homme @o1playz himself to see if he felt the same, or if the feeling was mutual. Homme has been an immense talent in an Istanbul team full of future stars. What did he have to say on the matter?
JH: I’ve seen a lot of speculation of me going top 3. I’ve had great conversation with all of the top 5 teams, and I see going there as a lock. Where within the top five I am just too unsure to tell…
So who will go first overall?
JH: McGlynn for sure. He has been such a great person to talk to, spectacular earner, great bank. Everything you want in a player.
Wow, well McGlynns said you! Who would you pick if you were the OM?
JH: Me because I'm biased, but honestly I would also pick McGlynn first. He has been great to everyone, that's for sure I guy I want in my Locker Room.
You looked in decent form this academy season, are you happy with your performances?
JH: I really enjoyed my academy season. I feel like my on-field performance was cut shorter than it could've been in some games, but in others it was so fun to watch my team do well. Not to mention my manager and teammates were great to me. 9/10 overall, I loved it.
So another vote for McGlynn, speaking once again not just to his performance, but his character.
Dennis van Huntelrooy @Jeanious also generously gave us his time to answer some questions too, with a quick phone call as he himself was preparing for the draft.
How would you rate your academy season?
DvH: From my own perspective I really enjoyed it, I'll rate it a solid 8/10. Could have been better if we won the league
Where do you think you’ll go in the draft?
DvH: I have no idea, I've spoken to I think every club and all of them seem fun and interesting in their own way. I have no real preference. I believe it will be a mid-table team in terms of picking order.
Who do you think will be the first overall pick?
DvH: Probably McGlynn. He is willing to do whatever the team needs
Imagine you’re an OM with the first pick, who would YOU pick first?
DvH: Easily myself. I am handsome, down to earth, a genius, absolute baller on the pitch, writer of the best articles with colorful graphs and most importantly very humble. Just to name a few reasons.
You're certainly a strong contender! Who do you think will be the biggest surprise of the draft?
DvH: I don't think there will be any big surprises.
CLICK
Straight to the point, but yet another vote for the Scotsman Barry McGlynn, gaining so much respect from his peers.
When we caught up with Sei @xyan at the airport, they disagreed.
SS: Let’s start with what might be a surprise to some, but would not actually be a surprise at all. Ignignokt could very well be a top3 draft pick, despite the late timing in joining the class. A real surprise though would be Jimothy Erickson not going first round. He’s this class’s unsung heroes... also strikes me as a perfect fit for any locker room.
Jimothy @GingerJLD agreed when we video called him at a training camp
JE: I think i will be the biggest surprise.
Oh really, do you think you will go first pick?
JE: I think Barry McGlynn… Im hoping to go in the first 10 picks fingers crossed.
So, still not picking yourself first? Who would you go for?
JE: I’m taking Barry McGlynn.
This time, S Sei couldn’t help but agree:
SS: Who I think goes 1oa and I would take 1oa personally is both the same: Barry McGlynn.
And what about your own draft position?
SS: Honestly it’s hard to say where in the draft... I am likely a first rounder but that’s not what matters most. There is also a lot of competition there, both in quality and quantity. It’s about what you can provide to the team on and off the field. I hope I can add to the atmosphere of my future team’s locker room. With that, there are a few teams I think I could fit well with as a landing spot, and that’s more important than where I land in the draft order.
Another player who has been up at the top for so long is the Canadian player Star Scream @Starscream , who seems to be thinking along the same lines as everyone else!
StarScream: Barry McGlynn, he took over for Port Royal after the previous manager left… (although) overall Port Royal season 4/10.
Nick Kasak @nckkss also weighed in with the same opinion when we caught him attempting to pack his bags at the Accra training facility.
NK: McGlynn will surely go 1st pick all day long… any org will be lucky to have him. If I was an OM, I’d try to get him before anyone else does.
What about your own placement?
NK: At the beginning I was itching to go top three, but its been so competitive I’d be happy to just go in the first round. All the scouts I’ve spoken to have been really positive, but there some teams I still haven’t heard from, what does that mean?
Maybe that means they don’t think they’ll get you?
NK: I think the whole thing is wide open. I’d like to surprise people and go very early, but I think you look at Erickson and Ignignokt, even Blaise N’Kufo, they’ve got good relationships with teams and positions that are in demand.
Really? Blaise N’Kufo?
NK: You heard it here first. Now, can you pass me those socks?
We tried to speak to Kairo Vox but were advised he was helping Nottinghamshire Police with some inquiries, so the last word went to Joe Mormor @Haramcha ; We called Joe over the phone, and began by asking how he felt about his own season
JM: It’s been a great experience, and the comeback after our first two matches felt amazing. We really thought we had it. But life doesn’t always go the way you want it to. We were heartbroken for a few days, but the staff sent us off in such a great way, I’m sure the next group of players will be back on top.
Who do you think will go first pick in the draft?
JM: I have to support my friend Nacho Kusora. He’s the top scorer. So dangerous! Also McGlynn, very talented player.
Lots of people are backing McGlynn to be first overall. If you were the OM with that first pick, who would you go for?
JM: Depends on the positions, no? Maybe Peña or Kusora, the record breakers! Or McGlynn, Nick Kasak. There are so many big talents.
What pick do you hope you will be?
JM: That’s a hard question! I want to be one of the first, but even in my team, I don’t think I’ll go first. There are so many good players! Maybe around 10th? At least top 20, I hope.
Do you think there will be any surprise picks early on?
JM: Maybe a goalkeeper! Also Dante von Wolfe and van Huntelrooy, for all their goals. Only if someone needs a striker.
So, in summary, most of the class are in agreement that Barry McGlynn may well be first pick based on his academy performance, but what do you think? Perhaps his destiny lies elsewhere, and Jimothy Erickson, Joshua Homme or Nacho Kusora take the crown, as they surely deserve. Either way, the picks further down seem much more mysterious. Be sure to tune in to the Season 26 Prospect Draft and see if your predictions come true.
EDIT:
Shortly after this was first published, we received a phone call in the middle of the night from Kairo Vox, who immediately starting telling us about their academy season before we could start recording.
KV: ...it’s been great! Made some great friends, learnt a bunch and can’t wait to start in an org.
I'm sorry, who is this, how did you get this number?
KV: I think my draft position is pretty locked based on certain aspects and conversations so can see me going mid first round
Are there sirens in the background I can hear?? Are you ok?
KV: Barry McGlynn what an absolute legend... I think he’s awesome, top earner, top banter, really active, has 2 jobs now I believe 1 on BoD as an intern then also an academy manager. Great guy think he’ll single handedly turn any org from silent to daily activity in the Locker Room.
Those are definitely sirens and they're getting louder and louder. What's going on?
KV: I’m backing my boy Jack Pow, if he doesn’t go first round I think it’ll be a mistake all round, really active, has a job as a grader top 10 I believe, loves writing his lore articles and genuinely aside of being my best friend outside of sim worlds he’s a beautiful human
Well, thanks so much for answering my questions... do you have anything else to add?
The call was mysteriously cut off, but Mr Vox's lawyers insist that he is merely a "person of interest" and is under obligation to stay in the country.
*Huge thanks to all the contributors, as tagged. Their words are their own.
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