This Draft Analysis is coming from inside the class (S26)

[nckkss]

Hello, today I'm going to be qualitatively analysing the first couple of rounds of the S26 prospect draft from my own perspective as a user within it. S27 prospects may find this useful to see how they can maximize their "draft stock" and be a higher pick. Or, as one scout suggested to me, "try and tank yourself a little so you get picked 10th to 12th so you end up with a good team". 

I mean... I didn't purposefully tank myself, but I did get drafted by the reigning champs. Maybe they're tanking their own chances?

It also became clear as I went on that there were many users and players I was unfamiliar with. My comments are all meant to be positive and in good faith. So sorry if I don't know you now, I do hope to know more about you soon.


Round 1

1.   Schwarzwälder FV - Barry McGlynn - @Definia
2.  Schwarzwälder FV - Reece Munro - @Riipsaw

Sorry to lump the lads together, buts its a joint pick from SFV, and obviously arbitrary who goes 1oa and who goes 2nd.

That said, there are a number of reasons the Definia was predicted to go 1oa, and any future academy stars take note. Not only has he been up there all season as a TPE leader, but he’s become an ever present yet unassuming user on Discord. He’s affable, approachable, sends messages without taking up space, as well as taking up the BoD intern job (surely he’ll be heavily involved in SSL for years to come). In summary, certainly no one was surprised to see him be the well deserved top pick.

Not that anyone should be sleeping on Riipsaw. While not quite as active on the discord, he is part of this S26 group that (possibly includes myself) contributes meaningfully to conversation without the need to scroll past 100 messages. A graphics wizz, and just as pleasant as his brother. A well deserved 2nd pick. Also fascinating to seem move over to the left, more on that later...

3.  A.C. Romana - Jimothy Erickson - @GingerJLD

In a pick that surprised few (although I secretly was hoping for a call to my hometown with minor team Inter London), Ginger’s Thanos like collection of SSL jobs and seeming to be available on discord 24/7 means he’s virtually already part of the furniture here. Another great PTE earner (but also being a simmer, he’s got tons of cash for traits etc.), his only negative, small that it is, would be the average prediction earning, meaning you could probably map his TPE graph for the next few seasons. But that is me looking for the tiniest negative. A fantastic pick.
It also helped that he was one of the few centre backs – a hugely desirable position.

4.  União São Paulo - Ignignokt - @AustinP0027

I don’t know huge amounts about this user or player, but what I have seen has all been positive. Not one of the top 10 TPE earners, but as I understand their reputation from other leagues precedes them, enough for USP to trade up for the pick, and prioritise them. Their stat-heavy media has been some of the best I've seen.

5.   Shanghai Dragons FC - S Sei - @xyan

Another great discord user, high TPE earner AND plays in other leagues (right?), xyan has been a great class member, with some of the best emotes, media and conversation. A worthy pick at 5.

6.  Xelajú Cósmico FC - Saphira Brightscales - @PidgeyDestined 

Where my analysis breaks down again is I am not familiar with my draft class, clearly! Definitely having some presence on discord, as well the fact they are a freaking dragon! Xelaju’s first pick clearly prioritised Pidgey, who I understand also plays in other leagues, perhaps with affiliations I’m not clear with. Looking forward to following them more closely!

7. Shanghai Dragons FC - Joe Mormor - @Haramcha

Haramcha just about steals the crown of nicest user of the class from Definia. Their media weaves a beautiful, heartfelt narrative, their discord conversations are almost always positive, in DMs, extremely helpful and kind. I had no jealousy (no, really) of how Joe Mormor also consistently and constantly outperformed Nick Kasak in the Academy as LAM. Almost a shame for them to drop back to LD.
(Plus they are, at time of writing, top TPE of the class, although not at the time of the draft)

8.   Liffeyside Celtic FC - Jack Pow - @Jack_Pow

Another great user who says everything I agree with, sometimes before I’ve had the chance to say it myself. Consistent, pleasant, high earner, another great character on discord with some solid media pieces too.
I genuinely look forward to battling him on the pitch at some point in the future.
And he’ll be pleased to be picked above...

9.   Reykjavik United - Kairo Vox - @Hoodz_91

Apparently in a surprise to no one but me, Hoodz got picked up by Reykjavik’s first pick. I’m not sure of the details, but Hoodz took up the mantle of Academy Manager in their first ever season, and doing a pretty good job in what was an absolutely bonkers few weeks. Huge presence on discord too, great character to have. Would have thought they would have gone higher earlier in the season, but obviously I’ve missed something.

10.   Hollywood FC - Nick Kasak - @nckkss

There was a time about a third of the way into our academy season when I thought there was a clear path for me to be TPE leader and somehow make my way to be first pick overall. 

Scouting conversations had begun and were coming thick and fast: I was honest about how flexible my build could be, I received positive feedback about some of my media and I made it clear I wanted to stick around for the long term.

But of course, there’s a bit more too it than that, and I hadn’t made myself as well known as I should have and needed to step up my discord game, and stop relying so much on my player’s performance, which almost doesn’t matter.

A lot of the scouting conversations seemed to get down to: “We don’t think we’ll be able to get you, you’ll go too early”, which felt nice to hear, but ultimately 7 teams passed on me before I got picked.

But I definitely do not feel hard done by, I have already been made to feel at home in this org, but as a word to the current academy crop – I had absolutely no idea that they actually wanted me and it was a great surprise. My scouting conversation was lovely, but so were most of them, as this community is full of really positive people. 

11.   CA Buenos Aires - Moew enBach - @Moew

Some controversial comments either side of the draft, but Moew has been consistent throughout the academy class. They ma or may not have had another destination in mind, but this is a draft, not free agency. He will be a great user for CABA, I’m sure, and good luck to him in Athenai’s net this season.

12.   Hollywood FC - Joshua Homme III Esquire Limited - @o1playz

Right up until nearly the draft itself, o1 seemed destined to be a great early pick up for somebody, and go top three. One of the top earners, podcaster, very present on discord and defender as well! Then he (publicly) made it known his ambition to manage an expansion team, meaning he would only spend his rookie season with whoever drafted him.

Now of course, I’m not privy to anything said privately, but this is surely the reason for this relatively low pick for such a great user. That all said, I’m so pleased that everyone else’s loss is my gain, and he is already going to be a fantastic teammate at Kaapstad, and its possible the expansion manager ambition has disappeared.


Round 2

13.  Schwarzwälder FV - Christopher Bergmann - @Bergmau

Round 2 opened with another user I’m not familiar with, but they had solid media, consistent TPE earn and were playing as a defender. I have no idea how scouting conversations went, but I can only assume: very well.

14.   União São Paulo - Owen Goal - @anjro

Round 2 continues with another chill user, although I get the impression anjro has some simulation experience? Some higher earners still haven’t been picked, but Owen Goal is actually about spot on here with there draft position compared to TPE.

15.  Hollywood FC - Dante Von Wolfe - @Bloodless

With this pick, Hollywood now have 2/3 of the three musketeers, the podcast Bloodless makes with Ginger and o1. Another high earning super active user, although no SSL jobs I’m aware of… yet. A great personality who could have probably gone higher in the draft, but presumably did not because of wanting to stick to their guns and play as a striker.

Once again, very happy to now call this simulation league veteran a teammate.

16.  CF Catalunya - Dennis van Huntelrooy - @Jeanious

Catalunya’s first pick is the S26 class’s stat king Jeanious and their player honouring Netherland’s greatest strikers. Another positive voice in the draft class with fantastic media and solid discord presence, the fact they are currently second (at time of writing) in TPE in draft class means this could be the steal of the draft.

17.   Shanghai Dragons FC - Cory Stevens - @Toast

I feel bad for saying this, but as a newbie to these things, I just don’t know Toast. Is he a legend? Possibly. Could he be? Probably.
Arrived pretty late on the scene and as it stands over 125 TPE off the top of the class, there is clearly a lot I don’t know about Toast.

18.    Xelajú Cósmico FC - Isaiah Ali - @Turbanator

I’m afraid once again this was not a player I was familiar with, but one can assume they had some great scout conversations and/or is a known simulation player. Sorry, King, I’m just not up on your game.

19.   CD Tenochtitlan - Blaise N'Kufo - @McTruffles

My old Accra teammate, and I’m very pleased to find them this high up in the draft. Accra wasn’t blessed with a large number of very active players, but McTruffles has always checked in now and again, and always been very nice to talk with.
Known as MCLumberjack’s friend as well, I imagine this is one of those sleeper picks thats going to be shown to be a top on in seasons to come.

20.   Liffeyside Celtic FC - Slabko Plačkovič - @sc1zzO

A relatively late joiner to the class, but playing in a desirable position surely boosted their draft stock. I think Liffeyside were the only organisation that I never spoke to, so I have no idea of their needs. Or why they didn’t need me. Mysterious indeed.

21.   Reykjavik United - Alex Peña - @CRMO15

If we were going on player performance alone, this is first round pick all day long. Record breaking assists, absolutely huge numbers. Present on the discord and consistent all season long.

22.   CF Catalunya - STAR SCREAM - @Starscream

An absolute steal of a high earner here. I think Starscream joined the same day I did, or very close to it, because I think their player name was one of the first I saw. High TPE earner, which is great for their position too. Great pickup for Catalunya, surely.

23.  Tokyo S.C. - Scorp E. Unshark - @hhh81

A returning player with an enforced second round pick straight into AM position for the org. Although somehow they’ve ended up roughly where their TPE earnings would have put them anyway.

24.   Hollywood FC - Kaz Okada - @DidYouSeeThatLudicrousDisplay?

I absolutely love this username, and am so pleased to welcome another teammate. And a defender too.


From this point on I’m afraid there were many names I wasn’t as familiar with as I thought, I suppose as what happens with such a large class. Although the headlines from the remaining picks are Bruce McAllister joining his IRL brothers at Schwarzwalder, which is a fantastic story anyway you cut it. I’m reliably informed these three will now form up as a horrifying midfield triple that we shall all learn to be fearful of.
Another regen, but a teammate from Accra, Mullet Man goes to CABA, where I sincerely hope he brings forth his Mullet blessings and converts them all to the ways of the Mullet. The hair at the back of my head grew longer every week we player together.

Round 3

25.   Shanghai Dragons FC - Tim Quackareedoo - @canard101
26.  Tokyo S.C. - Leonardo Stone - @Frostbite
27.  Hollywood FC - Felix Pedro - @Artemis
28.  Tokyo S.C. - Eric Duic - @Roboeric562
29.  Shanghai Dragons FC - Josh Harper - @JCPro
30.  Xelajú Cósmico FC - Sadie Black - @Rezo950inat0r2
31. A.C. Romana - Maurjiro Rivers - @Maur Rivers
32.  Schwarzwälder FV - Bruce McAllister - @Spree
33.  Reykjavik United - Martin Krpan - @ChiefVito
34.  Tokyo S.C. - Baptiste Azzola - @Liscore
35.  União São Paulo - Saba Kvekvetsia - @Jepox
36.   CF Catalunya - Jayson Bryzski - @JaytheGreat

Round 4

37.  Schwarzwälder FV - Luis Fonseca - @BackpackPlays
38.  Tokyo S.C. - Umaq Yupanqui - @Rancidbudgie
39.  Hollywood FC - John McDougal - @EggBert1899
40.  CA Buenos Aires - Mullet Man - @Ogreishh
41.  Shanghai Dragons FC - Owen Bryant - @deadlymuffin_man
42.  Xelajú Cósmico FC - Nacho Kusora - @Wahgao
43.  PASS - -
44.  Xelajú Cósmico FC - Le Chonk - @amjohnson636
45.  PASS - -
46.  CA Buenos Aires - Gold Ship - @Liath The Squirrel
47.  PASS - -
48.  PASS - -


Conclusion:

To the class of S27, if there are lessons to be learned from this draft to increase their draft position, they would be this:

-Earn the maximum TPE you can. Activity checks every week, but also doing more than the bare minimum PT activity so that you can earn the money to buy the max TPE per season. Also consider an SSL job, which will earn money, help you learn and raise your visibility.

-Be active on discord. They really are a nice bunch and they will answer questions with only minimal levels of snark.

-Consider how desirable the position you are playing is, or how flexible you are about changing that position. Defenders tend be rare, because they get so little of the glory, but they go early in drafts, with every team needing to play two every match. You can reroll in the academy, or during your first "proper" season.

-Bring your brothers with you.

[Definia]

A brilliant write up as always Nick and thanks a lot for the positive comments <3

It was a pleasure to spend the academy season with you and I hope that I can continue to be alongside you as an alumnus of class of S26 for many years to come! Who knows what the future holds for us, we could be teammates many seasons down the line!

So glad you got to get straight into minors D1! I'll maybe see you on the field next season ;)

[McLumberjack]

Great article as always!

I wished we had 12 first round picks this draft :(