HEROIC has shaken up its Counter-Strike 2 Academy project, moving its entire roster to the bench as part of a major restructure designed to create a clearer path to the main team.
CS2 academy roster update pic.twitter.com/w7k80LBgVl
— HEROIC Academy (@heroiccs2) September 5, 2025
HEROIC’s new approach to talent
The announcement came on September 5, with HEROIC confirming that its Academy roster, Rasmus “Scr0b” Poulsen, Bertil “Dengzoe” Dengsø Vest Hansen, Andreas “anber” Brandt, Vladyslav “St0m4k” Lykhoshva, and David “fnl” Mușuroiu, will step down from active duty. The only member staying on board long term is coach Joonas “doto” Forss.
According to HEROIC, the move is part of a long-term plan to build a direct pipeline between Academy prospects and the main CS2 squad. Tobias “TOBIZ” Theo, HEROIC’s head coach and former MOUZ NXT developer, is set to play a key role in that process. The idea is simple: tighten collaboration between staff, the Academy, and the main roster to ensure young players have a clear framework for development and a real shot at breaking into the top tier.
The future for benched players
While benched from HEROIC’s active line-up, the Academy roster isn’t disappearing. The players will continue competing together in select tournaments as a mixed squad, giving them the chance to showcase their skills and remain sharp while also exploring new opportunities. That likely won’t include fnl for long, who’s currently on loan to Nexus Gaming for a trial run.
HEROIC’s message to fans highlighted gratitude for the Academy’s short but impactful run since its launch in April this year. In just five months, the squad put together some solid results, including qualifying for the Betclic Clash Summer Play-In Stage and earning top-four finishes in the CCT Season 3 European Series qualifiers.
Building for the next step
For HEROIC, this reset is all about the future. The organisation made it clear that a new Academy roster is already in the works, with the goal of developing talent that can seamlessly transition to the main team. Fans will be watching closely to see how this “direct pipeline” vision pays off in the coming seasons.
With the restructure, HEROIC joins the growing number of esports organisations rethinking how they nurture up-and-coming players, ensuring promising young talent doesn’t get stuck at the Academy level without a way forward.