NEWARK, NJ–NJIT men's soccer announced its recruiting class heading into the 2026 season, consisting of 12 newcomers head coach
Fernando Barboto announced.
"I believe this class has a great amount of diversity," added Barboto. "It's a strong mix of graduates, transfers and freshmen. We are loaded up with very dynamic attackers and midfielders for 2026. The coaching staff and I are very excited to start preseason to build and shape this group into something very special. We welcome all of them with open arms to our NJIT soccer family."
Jaime Barbero | Graduate Student | Forward | Valencia, Spain
Joined the Highlanders after a standout career at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he emerged as one of the Northeast Conference's top attacking players. A 2025 All-NEC Second Team selection and NEC All-Tournament Team honoree, he played a pivotal role in FDU's conference championship run.
In 2025, he appeared in all 21 matches with 15 starts while totaling 14 points on six goals and two assists. He scored a game-winning goal in the 83rd minute against New Haven and delivered the decisive overtime winner in the NEC Championship match against Saint Francis to secure the conference title. Earned NEC Co-Player of the Week honors and two NEC Prime Performer selections.
After appearing in one match during the 2024 season, he returned to make a major impact in 2025. In 2023, he served as a key reserve, playing in 17 matches and scoring the game-winning goal in the season opener against Fairfield. As a freshman in 2022, he started three of 13 appearances, scoring five goals and totaling 10 points. He finished among the NEC leaders in goals, goals per game, and points per game, ranking seventh in the conference in goals per game.
Over his FDU career, he appeared in 52 matches (started 20), scored 12 goals, added two assists and combined for 26 points.
Itay Soffer | Graduate Student | Midfielder | Tel Aviv, Israel
Joins the Highlanders from Ramat Hasharon, Israel, where he attended Hila High School and competed for FC Hod Hasharon in Israel's U-19 Youth League under coach Eithan Tiker. A graduate student pursuing a Master of Science in Management at NJIT, he brings valuable collegiate experience and leadership to the program. Prior to arriving at NJIT, he spent four seasons at Northern Kentucky University, appearing in 39 career matches with 24 starts. During the 2025 season, he served as team captain for the Norse, appearing in 16 matches with 13 starts while logging 961 minutes. In 2024, he appeared in 17 matches, making nine starts and tallying three assists. He saw action in three matches during the 2023 campaign and appeared in four contests as a freshman in 2022, earning one start. He recorded his first collegiate assist in his debut against Southern Indiana on the game-winning goal and made his first collegiate start against Xavier University. Over his collegiate career, he has established himself as a dependable midfielder and proven leader with extensive NCAA Division I experience.
Alfonso Borbon | Graduate Student | Forward | Huesca, Spain
Joined the Highlanders from Spain after competing in the Tercera División RFEF with Aravaca CF. Developed in the highly competitive Madrid youth soccer system, Borbon brings valuable experience from one of Spain's top player-development environments. He intends to major in Project Management.
Hugo Tavares | Senior | Midfielder | Porto, Portugal
Tavares returned to NJIT in 2026 after competing at Loyola Marymount University during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He made his collegiate debut against UCLA on Aug. 22, 2024, earning a start and logging 40 minutes in the midfield. A versatile and creative midfielder, he continued his development in 2025 by appearing in five matches with four starts, recording three assists and providing a strong playmaking presence in the attacking third
Jake Rubis | Senior | Midfielder | Wayne, NJ
Played three seasons at NJIT (2022, 2023, 2024) before transferring from George Mason. Did not appear in any matches. Will return to NJIT in 2026 as a graduate student.
Emil Aumann | Freshman | Goalkeeper | Wiesbaden, Germany
Joined the Highlanders from Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany and attended Bertoldt-Brecht-Schule in Darmstadt and competed at a high level with SV Darmstadt 98. A key member of the squad, he contributed to a successful 2024 campaign, helping SV Darmstadt 98 secure the Hessen State Championship. Plans to major in Business at NJIT.
Zain Thompson | Freshman | Forward | Cranberry Twp, PA
Attended Mount Si High School in Snoqualmie, Washington, where he played a key role, helping lead the team to the WIAA 4A State Championship—the first in school history. Ranked #25 nationally by MaxPreps (2024), he set the Mount Si single-season assist record with 16 assists and contributed 11 goals in eight playoff games. His performances earned recognition including KingCo All-Conference honors (2×), Hudl Washington Goal of the Week in the state quarterfinal, WIAA Play of the Game in the state semifinal, and Team Goal of the Year.
On the club and academy side, he competed with Eastside FC B05/06 ECNL (2023–2024), a nationally ranked program (No. 19), capturing titles such as the Crossfire Challenge and EFC Cup, while also reaching the finals of the Las Vegas Mayor's Cup and the Surf Cup semifinals, including a Surf Cup final appearance in 2023. He continued development with Silicon Valley Soccer Academy (2024–2025), leading the team in attacking output with 11 goals and 6 assists, and with Eture FC (Agustín Ojeda Bande), where he was the team's top scorer and overall contributor with 15 goals and 14 assists.
Honor Roll and Highest Honor Roll Student. Earned AP Scholar with Distinction and AP Scholar with Honor recognition. Intends to major in Biomedical Engineering at NJIT.
Telmo Vila | Freshman | Forward | Bilbao, Spain
A native of Bilbao, Spain, he joined NJIT after playing for Danok Bat Club de Fika. Developed in one of Spain's strong soccer cultures, he brings technical ability and international experience to the Highlanders. He intends to major in Humanities at NJIT.
Ander Del Castillo | Freshman | Forward | Málaga, Spain
Joining the Highlanders from Málaga, Spain, he brings an impressive soccer background that includes selection to the Spanish National Team U15/U16 programs and a professional contract with Málaga CF. He competed for Málaga CF's U-19 team while attending Laude San Pedro International College. He intends to pursue a degree in Business and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Riley Davis | Freshman | Defender | Phoenix, AZ
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, he joins the Highlanders after gaining valuable experience with Eture FC in Spain's semi-professional soccer system. His time competing overseas helped sharpen his technical skills and tactical understanding while facing experienced competition. He intends to pursue a degree in Business at NJIT.
Tristan Barboto | Freshman | Defender | Wayne, NJ
A native of Wayne, NJ, he joins the Highlanders after a standout career at Wayne Valley High School, where he earned First Team All-State, First Team All-County, and First Team All-League honors, in addition to receiving the Minds in Motion Award. He also competed in the USYS Regional Championships. The son of NJIT Head Men's Soccer Coach Fernando Barboto and younger brother of current Highlander Maximus Barboto, he intends to major in Financial Technology at NJIT.
Daniel Tavares | Freshman | Midfielder | Newark, NJ
A native of Newark, NJ., he joins the Highlanders after a decorated career at East Side High School, where he earned First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Essex American Conference, First Team All-Essex County, and Second Team All-State honors in 2024. He also competed for Cedar Stars Monmouth in MLS NEXT and helped Ironbound Raiders capture the 2024 USYS New Jersey State Cup U17 title, two Super Y League championships (2019, 2023), and a berth in the 2025 MLS NEXT Cup. He intends to pursue a degree in Business and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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