SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A spectacular sophomore season has translated into a ticket to the next level for Sacramento State sophomore forward Donovan Sessoms, who was selected with the first pick of the third round (No. 61 overall) by expansion side San Diego FC in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft on Friday afternoon.
Sessoms is the first Hornet to be taken in the MLS SuperDraft since Chimdum Mez was taken in the fourth round (66th overall) by the San Jose Earthquakes, and the fifth Sacramento State student-athlete to be drafted by an MLS club in school history along with Brandon Cavitt (1996 College Draft, Dallas Burn), Ernesto Carranza (2011 Supplemental Draft, Chivas USA), and Fernando Cabadas (2011 Supplemental Draft, New England Revolution).
San Diego FC had five selections in Friday's draft, building a roster as the newest of MLS' 30 clubs that will compete in 2025. The city was awarded a franchise in May of 2023 and will play its first match on Feb. 23 against defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy.
An All-Big West first-team selection in 2024, Sessoms put together one of the finest offensive seasons in school history, finishing with a team-high 10 goals and 20 points for the year — both ranking among the top 10 in single-season history. Half of those 10 scored went for game-winning goals, ranking tied for fifth in the nation.
Among his Big West Conference brethren, Sessoms ranked third in the Big West in shot attempts (48) and led the league with 2.67 shots per match. He also finished fifth in the league in points, fourth in points per match (1.11), fourth in goals, and third in goals per match (0.56).
HORNETS IN THE MLS DRAFT
1996 MLS College Draft - Brandon Cavitt, 3rd Round (28th Overall), Dallas Burn
2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Ernesto Carranza, 2nd Round (22nd Overall), Chivas USA
2011 MLS Supplemental Draft - Fernando Cabadas, 2nd Round (24th Overall), New England Revolution
2015 MLS SuperDraft - Chimdum Mez, 4th Round (66th Overall), San Jose Earthquakes
2024 MLS SuperDraft - Donovan Sessoms, 3rd Round (61st Overall), San Diego FC
