Ozan Blanton '26 Recruiting Profile

Physio: Doctor says I should be 5'10-11" when fully grown

Ball recovery and quick, accurate transition to offense over distance is my greatest value, with strong defense and goal scoring. I want to add to the success of a D1 program as a midfielder. I'm in the top Academy Pool 1 at USA top 20 academy Sockers Chicago FC with MLSNext experience. After college, I plan to play pro in Turkey, USA or other UEFA team. I'm leaning towards selective schools in large, urban environments in the Northeast or Midwest. 

Positions (CM, OB, CB), Formations: Spring 2023, midseason, I switched to starting CM for A2 - my favorite position, which I continue to hold. Fall 2023 I was starting OB - also fun. For the previous 2 years before that I played outside back in MLSNext A1 and center back for A2. We play mostly 4-4-2.

Social: Some of my coaches are like my uncles. I've bonded closely with and learned from many amazing coaches from top USA and UEFA academies, and Brazil, Bosnia and USA national team coaches and players. I'm very physical, but also very calm and I always help hurt players up. I also played 5 years of Latino league futsal and futbol in Chicago, where I learned street smart soccer and I really loved it. 

Leadership: I often play in the middle helping control play at center back or center midfield, but my speed has allowed me to control at outside back and wing as well. I have been a starter every year and every season except for U13 MLSNext where I started the season as a sub and finished as a starter. For the U15 seasons, I've played every single minute of every match except for injury concerns.

International: I have international experience at rigorous S.L. Benfica camps in Portugal, Mundialito in Spain (FC Bayern USA/GPS National Team) and also in Turkey in summers. I got a residential trial invite by one of UEFA's best academies, Altinordu FK, but we live in Chicago - couldn't accept. I also had short trainings in the US with real Academy coaches and directors from FC Bayern (3 days), Inter Milan (1 day) and Man U (4 days).

Academics: I'm taking all honors classes and Latin and am one year ahead in honors math. I have mostly A's and B's, but working toward all A's. Chess, gaming and computer programming are my main hobbies.