NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nashville SC/SMU) – Former SMU midfielder Charles-Emile Brunet has signed a first-team contract with Nashville SC that runs through the 2026 MLS season with options through the 2028-29 season, as announced by the club today. 

Brunet was selected in the third round (80^th overall) in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft by Nashville SC. He became the club's first draft pick to sign with Nashville directly in three years.

During his time at SMU, Brunet was an instrumental piece in the Mustangs' first ACC Championship run in 2025. He started all 20 matches last season as a central midfielder, dictating the offense and contributing to defense with two goals and six assists to his name.

Following his performance in the 2025 campaign, Brunet was named to the All-ACC Third Team and the All-South Region Team.

"Charles was identified by our scouting department throughout his college career, and he has assimilated to playing at the next level," said Nashville SC President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Mike Jacobs. "He's performed well with the first team in preseason and has earned this opportunity."

Brunet joins teammate Slade Starnes in the MLS. Starnes signed a homegrown contract with FC Dallas' first team in January.

Junior midfielder Jaylinn Mitchell was drafted in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft by Minnesota United. He has opted to return to SMU for his final season and will join the MLS club following the 2026 campaign.

In the last two seasons, SMU has had four former players sign with MLS first teams. Nikola Djordjevic signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps in December, while Cesar Ruvalcaba signed with the Columbus Crew in March of 2025.

Djordjevic and Ruvalcaba were selected by their respective clubs as second-round picks in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft following their NCAA Elite Eight run with SMU in 2024.