Heath Booker '27 Recruiting Profile

My name is Heath Booker and I have been playing competitive soccer since I was 4 years old. Ever since then, I have dreamed of playing high level soccer. I believe I can make that dream a reality due to my talent, hard-work, upbringing and never-ending determination. I know I can achieve my goals as not only do I love the game, but I have had to overcome a traumatic injury to my right knee. When I was 7 years old, I severely lacerated my right knee and had to get more than fifty internal and external stitches. This was done while I was awake. The pain was excruciating. But worse than the pain was the fact that I could not play soccer and missed out on playing with the competitive travel team, which I had just been chosen for.  To make matters worse after my stiches were removed, I fell on my knee again and had to get even more stitches. Due to the severity of my injury, I could not play competitive soccer for over a year. However, I did not let this stop me from rehabilitating my knee and with the help of my dad, I learned how to play with my left foot. Because of my hard work and determination, I am now fully proficient with my right and left foot, and I can play on both sides of the field very well.

I have played high level club soccer my whole life, starting in Florida. My family and I moved to Georgia, and I started playing ECNL soccer. I also played ODP soccer and have been selected twice (one year was cancelled due to Covid) to attend national ID camps. I have also been selected twice to attend US national ID camp for futsal in 2022 and again in 2023. In my eighth-grade year I was the captain of my middle school team and played Varsity for my school. I am now playing for LSA 08 MLS Next.  I’m also an accomplished cross-country runner. Finishing 4^th in States in 2022. I was also the captain of the cross-country team which finished 1^st in the State team's event.

I am a team player as well as a good leader. I always put the team’s success ahead of my own and will make the easy pass rather than try to score myself. As a fan of La Liga football, I admire skillful players and have worked hard to make myself technically excellent. I am versatile, strong on the ball, not afraid to make mistakes (but don’t make many anyways). I’m respectful and coachable, have a high soccer IQ and have very good school grades. I can beat my man and make chances happen - I can also finish the chances when needed. I am a fierce competitor.

When in the classroom I am focused and hardworking. I strive to get all A’s in my classes. In 2020 I participated in the Duke Tip program; I am a member of the Jr. Beta Club and am also a member of MENSA.  In addition, I enjoy volunteering and have volunteered coaching at my school for summer soccer camps for elementary kids, which was very fun.

My preference is to attend a D1 college and major in business since my dad is an entrepreneur and runs his own business. Soccer has always been fun to me and has always made me feel better even when life doesn’t always go the way I plan. I want to achieve my dreams and make my parents proud.