GREENVILLE, S.C. – Furman sophomore Walker Zimmerman has been tabbed as the early favorite to be the top pick in January’s Major League Soccer Superdraft, according to Top Drawer Soccer’s mock draft released on Friday morning.

Top Drawer Soccer believes Zimmerman’s combination of size, strength and athleticism would allow him to step into the lineup of an MLS club even at just 19 years of age.  Toronto FC holds the top pick in the MLS Superdraft, which is set to take place during the NSCAA Convention on Jan. 16-20, in Indianapolis, Ind.

Zimmerman, a center back for the Paladins, tallied six goals and added three assists while helping Furman to a 12-4-3 record this season.  The Lawrenceville, Ga., native earned first team All-Southern Conference honors for the second straight year and was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.  During his sophomore campaign, he netted the match-winning goal versus FIU and propelled the Paladins to an overtime win over Clemson by scoring a match-tying goal in the final minutes of regulation.

The 6-foot-3 defender appeared in 17 matches for the Paladins in 2012.  He missed two matches while on duty with the United States U-20 National Team in Spain in October.

The entire mock draft can be found at TopDrawerSoccer.com.