Rankings Analysis: Ohio Sophomores Ready for Spotlight

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer Rankings for the Boys Class of 2025 for the state of Ohio were released last week. The initial rankings feature the top talent from the two MLS Academies in the state as well as some of the top ECNL teams and players contributing to the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/08/st-ignatius-kicks-off-the-season-as-the-fab-50-boys-no-1-team/" data-type="post" data-id="54621">highly ranked high school program</a> from the sophomore class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 class is shaping up to be one of the best classes in recent years for Ohio with key contributors emerging at every level of the game. One of the 2025 ranked prospect is already training with his MLS first team, which might be only a matter of time before he is off this list. The PrepSoccer rankings only include players who retain amateur status. Players who sign professional contracts are included in the watch list.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomores from Ohio are an exciting group. PrepSoccer breaks down the scouting outlook on a handful of players included in the state rankings for Ohio. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303b3ad5fb0a","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["55570"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Flanary is the No. 1 player in the state of Ohio for the Class of 2025. There are a number of reasons why the Crew SC Academy prospects sits atop the rankings in the initial release, but the one that scouts point to most is that Flanary makes winning plays. The 07 forward earned a role on the Crew SC U17 team this season that advanced to the MLS Next Cup championship game against Philadelphia Union. He was the only 07 to feature in that game (which was for the 05 age group). Flanary is a center forward with good skill and great instincts. He is one to watch for the future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649b3c17a2eb6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303b6435fb0b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["14524"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='14524' first='Ben' last='Manfroy'] is one of three FC Cincinnati Academy players in the top five of the Ohio 2025 rankings. He is a center back with good size and skill. He is very comfortable on the ball and offers the positional flexibility to step up a level when given the space. He has good vision on the pass and really is a weapon as a distributor in the build-up. Manfroy does tend to get caught ball hunting and can over chase the ball, but that type of tactical development will come with time and fitting into the club's style of play. He has the player profile of a prospect with a very high ceiling.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649b3c17a2ee0"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6303baf85fb0c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["55587"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='55587' first='Adin' last='Ibrahimovic'] was the Player of the Year in the Boys ECNL Ohio Valley for the U15 age group. He had a standout campaign with Cleveland Force. The sophomore earned his playing time with the older teams at the club. He has good size and skill. He has a very bright future in the game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["55694"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='55694' first='Connor' last='Wilkes'] is one of the top prospects from the Cincinnati region. He is a versatile player in the midfielder, who really could fill a number of roles. Wilkes has good size for a sophomore, but he stands out for his skill on the ball. He is a silky dribbler who just glides around the field on the ball. He has quick feet and good body control to cut past defenders and keep close control of the ball. Wilkes is a standout for the CUP squad and one to watch this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["55589"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='55589' first='Grant' last='Blake'] is another standout from the Cleveland Force academy. He is an outside back who is a strong defender. He is tenacious in the tackle. He has good technique and does well in his timing on when to go to ground to shut down a chance with a slide tackle. He is a competitive player and does not quit on a play. Blake has done well while playing up an age group. He is a top 2025 outside back to watch.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["55603"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='55603' first='Rafael' last='de la Barrera'] is an attacking midfielder who is an excellent dribbler. He is elusive in his movement and does well on the ball to evade defenders. He is a good passer too, and looks to be ready to step up to a game played at a quicker speed. The midfielder has great game awareness and does well checking his shoulders before receiving the ball. He is one to watch as he earns a bigger role for his school team, the top ranked St. Ignatius.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649b3c17a2f2f"} /-->