Who is the best shutdown defender in CA’s 2026 class?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The outside back position is one that is often overlooked. The center backs get the glory as the last line of defense. The wingers get the glory of the attack, but the outside backs have to do a bit of everything and often get no credit.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The California class of 2026 has some outstanding outside backs. Below we breakdown five of the top prospects from the outside back position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/01/updated-2026-california-girl-rankings/">full rankings for the California Class of 2026</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["82886"],"_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='82886' first='Sadie' last='Leal-Schuman'] is a multi-positional player who is could be an outside back at the international level. She also plays as an attacking midfielder at the club level. With that type of background, it's easy to see why the Lamorinda standout would be an influential player in the outside back role. She is skillful on the ball, has excellent vision, and offers some creativity in 1v1 duels in the attacking third. The freshman backs that quality up with solid defensive background. She is rarely out of position, and puts in the effort defensively. She is the top outside back option in this class in the first ranking.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63cad73d9effb"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxbEnM-aGcY","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=BxbEnM-aGcY </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19056"],"_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":"There is a pretty known scouting report on Brayton - and it's easier to hear other coaches try to instruct their wingers on how to stop her. The best part about Brayton's game is that she is still effective even when the other teams know what she wants to do. Brayton is a right back who likes to cut inside and operate from a more central role. She is a creative player who is an excellent passer. She overloads the center of the field and creates a numerical advantage for Surf. With her quick-decisions and skill on the ball, it's almost like Surf has an extra midfielder when in possession of the ball. Her positional intelligence is incredible for a youth player. She also takes penalty kicks for her team. Defensively, she is a strong in the tackle and uses her body well when shielding the ball. Brayton is a top prospect from the right back position in the 2026 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["83836"],"_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":"The left back from MVLA is one of the most dependable players in this class. Her performance against De Anza Force in the ECNL during the fall was especially impressive. She was in the right spots, did well in the tackle, and kept possession for her team. It was a quiet performance but it was exactly the type of performance that scouts love to see from a left back.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["82599"],"_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='82599' first='Kai' last='Fontenot'] was a late addition to the rankings, but a player that is on the radar for the spring. She played as a right back during a scrimmage late in the fall. The quality she showed in that game suggests she could be the best outside back in this class in the near future. She is fast, competitive, and skillful. Fontenot is one to watch.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":"","_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='83756' first='Mia' last='Kim'] is on the watch list for now, and she is definitely a player who is on scouts' radars for the spring. Kim is an outside back (both right and left) with impressive recovery speed and great defensive instincts. She reads the attacker well and does a good job cutting off the strong foot of the player she is matched up against at the time. Kim's quality has really shined on the defensive side of the game. She is the type of player who a coach puts on one player and counts on her to shut down that player from the opening whistle to the final whistle.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63cad73d9f10c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->