Rankings Analysis: The Top Centerbacks from 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer <strong>Boys <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/national/rankings/boys/boys-2025-rankings/" data-type="page" data-id="60255">National Rankings for the Class of 2025</a></strong> was released last week. The initial ranking has been in the spotlight in recent articles as we take an in-depth scouting look at a handful of players from each range in the rankings: <em><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/10/rankings-analysis-four-rapid-risers-from-the-national-rankings/" data-type="post" data-id="60311">rapid risers</a> </em>and <em><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/10/rankings-analysis-goalkeepers-shine-in-the-sophomore-class/" data-type="post" data-id="60807">a strong goalkeeper group in this class</a>. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Learn more about the PrepSoccer Ranking process,<em><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/10/behind-the-scenes-prepsoccers-national-rankings/" data-type="post" data-id="60112"> here</a></em>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next installment of the rankings analysis takes a look at the group in the top 50 in the national rankings. Many of these players are on the professional pathway at this point and will exit the rankings when they sign their first contracts. However, there is still reason to believe many value alternate paths in the game. Below we breakdown the projections for a handful of the players in this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6348517f45007","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["14873"],"_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='14873' first='Isaac' last='Dalhart']'s performance this summer during the ECNL National Playoffs was reminiscent of Chris Richards' showing a few years back at the Development Academy level. An absolute dominance from game-to-game at center back that showcased his best qualities while also revealing how much his teammates loved to play alongside him. Dalhart has big-time capabilities. It's easy to imagine his transition to the next level. He is physical, quick, and a specialist in aerial duels. He is a strong defender first and matches up well with center forwards. Attackers have trouble going against Dalhart because he has a strong core and quick feet. With five shutouts from seven playoff games, Dalhart's talent leads to winning results on the field at the highest level in the club game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649b3c1db8170"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXHFwaV0nCQ","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXHFwaV0nCQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6348559045009","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["59865"],"_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":"Rizzo was one of the top center backs in the class of 2025. He is a left center back who really impressed scouts with his technical ability in hook slide tackles. He has good speed and can chase down anyone. He is an intelligent player and reads the game well. He is capable of playing at the next level because he has the well-rounded game. He is equally as good in possession of the ball as he is while defending. He is right-footed, but he is more than comfortable with his left and looks like a standout at left center back for this class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649b3c1db819d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"id":"block_634856c94500a","name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/5455224/62def9339a9c1f1764fe2347' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649b3c1db81c8"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634858ae4500b","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["59811"],"_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='59811' first='Maddox' last='Brown'] earned a spot on the national rankings because he is one of those players who has been deliberate about improving his game/craft after the last year. Brown is a top prospect from Rapids - and from the region. He is a center back who is a prototype for the position - good size, speed, and competitiveness. He has really improved his decision-making in both when to make a challenge and in possession. He has a high ceiling because he is in a great development situation that is allowing him to learn and improve. Brown will be one to watch this season among the center backs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649b3c1db81f7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634861dd4500c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["59851"],"_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='59851' first='James' last='Nyandjo'] is another 2025 who impressed scouts in the MLS Next U17 play through the first few months of the club season. His play has been so good that he earned a call-up to the US Youth National Team. He plays as a left center back. He isn't the biggest player on the field but he is smart about how he uses his size. He is fast and stays in front of players defensively. He does well in not diving in and keeping his feet. His safe approach has helped anchor a Charlotte FC defense that has only let in two goals in the first two games of the season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["7614"],"_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='7614' first='Finley' last='O'Mahony'] is a player who Austin FC Academy's recruiting efforts targeted early as a keystone piece. He previously played for San Diego Soccer Club, and moved over to Austin FC for the 2021/2022 season. He has jumped up to the club's U17 team this year. Through the opening games of the season, he has featured as a center back in a starting role in one game and then being utlizied off the bennch in another. The expectation is that O'Mahony will earn a significant role later in the season as a high priority target for the club to develop into a center back with potential for the first team.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-649b3c1db8244"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='14873' first='Isaac' last='Dalhart'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->