Originally Posted by Anonymous
Thoughts on SSDMs getting recruited? Does it happen a lot or are they the last to go? Seems like they are overlooked and college coaches just convert O middies. Any real examples you can think of?

I think that there are definitely quite a few SSDMs that are offensive players being put on the back burner for use down the road, but there are plenty of kids getting looks as two-way midfielders with an emphasis on the defensive end. A good SSDM is a great asset, and you can't win games with the ball at the other end of the field all day. The midfielder from Syracuse is the prototype 2-way midfielder, big and can play on the offensive side as well, but has a more defined role as a defender because that team is stacked with O middies. I do not think that there is a disadvantage because some of the highly sought after offensive players go first. Personally, I think the challenge is more about the number of poles because you can shift defenders and LSMs more easily.