Ohio State football players were not the only Buckeyes to be drafted into the professional ranks this season.

Jake Traeger and Andy Rosenband, both former OSU soccer players, were picked in the sixth round of the Major League Soccer Superdraft on Jan. 17.

Rosenband, the 52nd overall pick, went to the Dallas Burn, while Traeger, the 58th overall pick, stayed in town with the Columbus Crew.

Both players enjoy the honor of being the first Buckeyes ever to be chosen in the draft, and are excited to be given the opportunity to play professional soccer.

“It’s amazing,” Rosenband said. “It’s a dream come true.”

OSU men’s soccer coach John Bluem shared Rosenband’s excitement.

“We’re very proud of both Andy and Jake. They’re both very good players,” he said.

While they may not have been rated as the top players in the country, both former Buckeyes hold special qualities that appealed to their major league teams. Rosenband may have been chosen for his strong work ethic.

“He’s a very busy player,” Bluem said of Rosenband, who led the Buckeyes in every offensive category a year ago..

On the other hand, Traeger’s natural ability may have been the reason he was recruited by the Crew.

“Jake’s athleticism is his strongest trait,” Bluem said. “He’s got all the physical tools.”

Traeger’s roots in soccer run deep in his family. His older sister, Katy Traeger, is a 2000 graduate of OSU and a former captain of the Buckeye women’s soccer team. His younger brother, Reid Traeger, is a member of this year’s OSU men’s squad.

Rosenband also has professional sports in his family history. His father, Phillip Rosenband, a former baseball player, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. Rosenband said his opportunity to play professionally sneaked up on him.

“I worked all my life for this, and then it came so fast,” he said.

While Rosenband put school on hold to play in Dallas, Traeger is enrolled at OSU with a full load of classes to complete his degree in personal finance.

“So far it hasn’t been bad,” Traeger said. “Coach (Greg Andrulis) has been great.”

If the MLS hadn’t drafted them, playing soccer in Europe would have been a tempting alternative for both players.

“If nothing would come up in America, I would have tried it over there,” Rosenband said.

Traeger agreed.

“If the Crew hadn’t worked out, I would have definitely gone out there,” Traeger said.

While both players are delighted to play in the United States, Traeger is especially happy to be in Columbus.

“It couldn’t have worked out better with trying to finish school,” he said. “The Crew is a top notch organization.”

He attributes much of his success as a player to his time at OSU.

“From freshman year to senior year, there was a big jump in my playing level,” he said. “I became a much better player in my four years here.”

The rookies have yet to play on the field for their teams, but both said they will be ready when the time comes to contribute.