Most exciting talent in High School leads NJ class of 2024
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The New Jersey boys rankings for the class of 2024 were updated on PrepSoccer last week. The rankings include some of the top talent in the country from the club and high school game. The New Jersey rankings include the…
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Continue ReadingThe New Jersey boys rankings for the class of 2024 were updated on PrepSoccer last week. The rankings include some of the top talent in the country from the club and high school game.
The New Jersey rankings include the top prospects from the New York Red Bulls academy, as the MLS franchise plays their home games in the Garden State. The state determination for the PrepSoccer player rankings is the location of the player’s club. The rankings also only include players who retain amateur status so a player like Bento Estrela Bento Estrela F NJ is included in the watch list but not the rankings because he has already signed a professional contract with MLS/New York Red Bulls.
The No. 1 player for New Jersey for the class of 2024 is Ransford Gyan Ransford Gyan M St. Benedict’s | 2024 State #11 Nation NJ . PrepSoccer high school expect described Gyan as “the most exciting player in high school soccer.” The St. Benedict’s Prep star had 16 goals and 12 assists in only 13 games as the New Jersey powerhouse had a pandemic-limited season. Following in the footsteps of high school teammate Molik Jesse Khan, who signed a professional contract with Minnesota United 2 after his junior season, could be an attractive option for Gyan. The dynamic junior-to-be is a left-foot dominant attacking talent. He likes to play on the wing, and can feature on either side. He has quick feet and impressive balance. Getting Gyan’s game to the next level will take some evolution and development as his quick burst and stepovers won’t be as effective against grown men at the professional level. Improving his finishing with his right foot and rounding out his defensive approach to the game will help him get to the next stage of his career quicker as he already proved in 2021/2022 that he can dominate the youth game.
Paul Smajlaj Paul Smajlaj D State #49 Nation NJ is No. 2 in the rankings for New Jersey for the class of 2024. The defender was one of the Red Bulls Academy players signed to a USL Academy Agreement for the 2022 season. The agreement means that Smajlaj keeps his eligibility for college while also playing against professionals this season. Smajlaj is a center back born in late 2005. He had a starring role with the Red Bulls academy team during the Generation Adidas Cup in April in Dallas.
Frankie Defrancesco Frankie Defrancesco M DePaul | 2024 State #78 Nation NJ is one of the top players to know in the state of New Jersey. The TSF Academy midfielder has amazed scouts this season with his play in MLS Next. Defrancsco was one of the top players at the MLS Next event in the 2006 age group. The center midfielder was a First-Team All-Star selection in the Big North Conference by nj.com for his play with his high school DePaul.
William Altirs William Altirs F State #75 Nation NJ , a forward from Cedar Stars Academy-Bergen, impressed scouts at the MLS Next event in Maryland in May. Altirs is one of the top forwards in the class of 2024 in New Jersey in the new rankings.
Joseph Grossman Joseph Grossman GK Christian Brothers Academy | 2024 FL , 6-foot-3, is the top goalkeeper in the state for the class. Grossman is quick off his line and plays bigger than his size with a massive wingspan. He is good on crosses at attacking the ball in the air and securing the catch in traffic. He does well with distribution and has the vision to lead the counter-attack for his side.
Sam Tinoco looks to be a player for scouts to know this summer. The PDA forward has found success at both the ECNL and MLS Next level. He is a right-footed winger who likes to play on the left wing and cut in. He is a good finisher from inside 30 yards and found the back of the net 20 times last season.
Check out the full rankings for New Jersey for the Boys Class of 2024.