New York Red Bulls select Jordan Scarlett in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft

With the 61st overall pick of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, the New York Red Bulls selected Iona College defender Jordan Scarlett.

Described as a center back by the Daily Voice's Zak Failla, Bronx-born Scarlett had a solid four-year college career, making the All-MAAC first team in his senior year. He also accumulated the 10th-most minutes played for the Iona men's soccer program over the course of 69 total appearances (59 starts). That was merely 1,750 minutes over four years (a starter in MLS would expect to break 2,000, and maybe hope for 3,000, in a season) but he is not responsible for the playing time available to college soccer players.

The New York Red Bulls had a look at him during their 2016 College Combine in December. The rest of us will have to wait for pre-season. Until then, there are highlight videos, from which we learn - at least in his freshman year - he's got a powerful shot:

But Scarlett's strength is defending, and his talent for it apparently got him nicknamed "The Cleaner" somewhere along the way.

He is the 17th pick of the third round of the MLS Draft: getting a pro contract out of pre-season will be something of an accomplishment in itself. But he may be well-positioned to at least get himself on to the Red Bulls' USL squad. Both RBNY's rosters - the II team in USL and the first team in MLS - have need for center backs. He will be trying out for a role where the squad needs depth, and the team has already watched him at its own Combine.

Players report for preseason on January 23. Opportunity to watch RBNY's latest draft pick should follow shortly thereafter.