SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes selected California State University Northridge defender Jamar Ricketts in the first round (No. 13 overall) of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday. The Quakes also drafted San Jose State University midfielder Beau Leroux in the second round (No. 42 overall) and Saint Mary’s forward Riley Lynch in the third round (No. 71 overall).
“I’m very happy with the three guys we were able to select today,” said Earthquakes general manager Chris Leitch. “I really appreciate the work the whole team put in behind identifying these players.
“I’m really excited for Jamar. He can play anywhere up and down the left side; right now we have him at left back. Beau and Riley are also excellent, versatile players, and I’m glad they’re part of our organization.”
Ricketts, 22, played three seasons with CSU Northridge, earning back-to-back All-Big West First Team selections (2023, 2022) and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Far West Region honors in 2022. In 2023, he notched career highs of eight goals, five assists, 21 points, and three game-winning goals. Ricketts finished his collegiate career with 16 goals and 10 assists in 55 appearances (all starts) for CSUN. This past summer, he featured for USL League Two side Ventura County Fusion, helping lead them to the national quarterfinals.
A native of Montclair, New Jersey, Ricketts also played for St. Benedict’s Preparatory School and Cedar Stars Academy, an MLS NEXT club program.
Leroux, 20, competed for San Jose State from 2021-23, earning United Soccer Coaches All-Far West Region Third Team and All-WAC First Team honors in 2022. That season, he scored seven goals in 19 appearances for the Spartans, leading the conference in shots (54). As a freshman in 2021, he was named to the WAC All-Freshman Team.
A local player hailing from San Jose, Leroux played for the Santa Cruz Breakers and Santa Teresa High School before representing San Jose State.
Lynch, 21, played three seasons at Saint Mary’s College, where he tallied 13 goals and 13 assists in 53 appearances. In 2023, he recorded career highs of eight goals and five assists for 21 points, which resulted in him being named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Third Team. As a freshman for the Gaels in 2021, He was named to the All-WCC Second Team as well as the All-Freshman Team.
A native of Chandler, Arizona, Lynch played for Hamilton High School before joining Saint Mary’s.
Jamar Ricketts
Position: Defender
Height: 5-9
Weight: 165
Born: Oct. 24, 2001
Hometown: Montclair, New Jersey
Preferred Foot: Left
College: California State University Northridge
Roster Designation: Unsigned, Domestic
Beau Leroux
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165
Born: Aug. 31, 2003
Hometown: San Jose, California
Preferred Foot: Right
College: San Jose State University
Roster Designation: Unsigned, Domestic
Riley Lynch
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Weight: 170
Born: Jan. 2, 2003
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Preferred Foot: Left
College: Saint Mary’s College
Roster Designation: Unsigned, Domestic
Transaction: San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) – Earthquakes select CSU Northridge defender Jamar Ricketts (No. 13 overall) in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. Earthquakes also select San Jose State midfielder Beau Leroux (No. 42) in the second round and Riley Lynch (No. 71) in the third round.
