Bowling Green State University Athletics
Jacob Erlandson Chosen in MLS SuperDraft
January 11, 2022 | Men's Soccer
BGSU standout taken by Columbus Crew in Second Round
Bowling Green State University men's soccer standout Jacob Erlandson has been selected in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. On Tuesday evening (Jan. 11), Erlandson was chosen by the Columbus Crew in the Second Round.
Erlandson, a native of Dayton, Ohio (Dayton Christian), was the 40th pick overall in this year's SuperDraft.
"I'm ecstatic for Jake to have been selected by the Crew," said BGSU head coach Eric Nichols. "It's a class organization from the top down. (Columbus head coach) Caleb Porter is the kind of coach who can get the best out of young players, and I think he and Jake will get on very well."
Erlandson played two seasons at BGSU after transferring from Huntington (Ind.) University. He was named to the All-MAC First Team in both seasons with the Falcons, and helped the program advance to the NCAA Championships in back-to-back seasons.
In addition to his second-straight all-league honor, Erlandson earned a plethora of other individual honors in 2021. The center back was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team in 2021, as well as the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association's All-Ohio First Team. Erlandson was chosen to the MAC's All-Tournament Team as well.
A 2021 team captain, Erlandson played in 19 of BGSU's 20 matches, starting all 19, and led the Falcons in scoring. His 16 points included six goals, tying him for the BG lead in that category. Those six goals included a pair of game-winning goals, and he also had four assists on the campaign.
At the other end of the pitch, Erlandson helped the Falcons keep nine clean sheets on the season. He scored 24 points in 32 career matches with the Falcons, and four of those nine goals at BG were game-winning markers. Erlandson played every second of each of BGSU's last 10 matches.
"The Crew clearly did their homework, and they have gotten themselves an exceptional player and an exceptional young man in Jake Erlandson," said Nichols. "Jake has some great opportunities and challenges ahead, and I know he will attack those challenges and will find great success."
Erlandson becomes just the fourth BGSU player chosen in the MLS draft. BGSU Hall-of-Famer Steve Klein was chosen in the third round (22nd overall pick) of the 1997 MLS College Draft by the New England Revolution, while Ryan James was also a third-round pick, being taken by Sporting Kansas City with the 52nd overall pick in 2016.
Most recently, Ebenezer Ackon was chosen by the Chicago Fire in the third round (53rd overall pick) of the 2019 SuperDraft.
The Falcons finished the 2021 season with a record of 11-6-3, and BGSU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championships. BG picked up a 1-0 victory at Louisville in the first round of the national tourney, marking the fifth NCAA Tournament victory in program history, and the first since 1997.
BG ended the season ranked number 30 in the final College Soccer News poll for the second consecutive season, and the Falcons ended the year 27th (second team among 'also receiving votes') in the final United Soccer Coaches rankings.
For more information on the men's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @BGSUmenssoccer), Instagram (bgsumenssoccer) and Facebook (BGMensSoccer) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.
BGSU's MLS DRAFT CHOICES
PLAYER Â Â Â Â Â YEAR Â ROUND Â PICK Â TEAM Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Steve Klein    1997   3rd   22nd  New England Revolution
Ryan James    2016   3rd   52nd  Sporting Kansas City
Ebenezer Ackon  2019   3rd   53rd  Chicago Fire
Jacob Erlandson 2022   2nd   40th  Columbus Crew
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Erlandson, a native of Dayton, Ohio (Dayton Christian), was the 40th pick overall in this year's SuperDraft.
"I'm ecstatic for Jake to have been selected by the Crew," said BGSU head coach Eric Nichols. "It's a class organization from the top down. (Columbus head coach) Caleb Porter is the kind of coach who can get the best out of young players, and I think he and Jake will get on very well."
Erlandson played two seasons at BGSU after transferring from Huntington (Ind.) University. He was named to the All-MAC First Team in both seasons with the Falcons, and helped the program advance to the NCAA Championships in back-to-back seasons.
In addition to his second-straight all-league honor, Erlandson earned a plethora of other individual honors in 2021. The center back was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team in 2021, as well as the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association's All-Ohio First Team. Erlandson was chosen to the MAC's All-Tournament Team as well.
A 2021 team captain, Erlandson played in 19 of BGSU's 20 matches, starting all 19, and led the Falcons in scoring. His 16 points included six goals, tying him for the BG lead in that category. Those six goals included a pair of game-winning goals, and he also had four assists on the campaign.
At the other end of the pitch, Erlandson helped the Falcons keep nine clean sheets on the season. He scored 24 points in 32 career matches with the Falcons, and four of those nine goals at BG were game-winning markers. Erlandson played every second of each of BGSU's last 10 matches.
"The Crew clearly did their homework, and they have gotten themselves an exceptional player and an exceptional young man in Jake Erlandson," said Nichols. "Jake has some great opportunities and challenges ahead, and I know he will attack those challenges and will find great success."
Erlandson becomes just the fourth BGSU player chosen in the MLS draft. BGSU Hall-of-Famer Steve Klein was chosen in the third round (22nd overall pick) of the 1997 MLS College Draft by the New England Revolution, while Ryan James was also a third-round pick, being taken by Sporting Kansas City with the 52nd overall pick in 2016.
Most recently, Ebenezer Ackon was chosen by the Chicago Fire in the third round (53rd overall pick) of the 2019 SuperDraft.
The Falcons finished the 2021 season with a record of 11-6-3, and BGSU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championships. BG picked up a 1-0 victory at Louisville in the first round of the national tourney, marking the fifth NCAA Tournament victory in program history, and the first since 1997.
BG ended the season ranked number 30 in the final College Soccer News poll for the second consecutive season, and the Falcons ended the year 27th (second team among 'also receiving votes') in the final United Soccer Coaches rankings.
For more information on the men's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @BGSUmenssoccer), Instagram (bgsumenssoccer) and Facebook (BGMensSoccer) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.
BGSU's MLS DRAFT CHOICES
PLAYER Â Â Â Â Â YEAR Â ROUND Â PICK Â TEAM Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Steve Klein    1997   3rd   22nd  New England Revolution
Ryan James    2016   3rd   52nd  Sporting Kansas City
Ebenezer Ackon  2019   3rd   53rd  Chicago Fire
Jacob Erlandson 2022   2nd   40th  Columbus Crew
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Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerAndrew Shaffer Post-Match Interview (Sept. 26, 2025)
Saturday, September 27
Eric Nichols Post-Match Interview (Sept. 26, 2025)
Saturday, September 27
Off The Pitch: Anthony Hernandez (Sept. 25, 2025)
Thursday, September 25
Eric Nichols Post-Practice Interview (Sept. 24, 2025)
Wednesday, September 24