Rankings Analysis: Names to know from NJ 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer State Player Rankings for the Class of 2026 for New Jersey were released on Monday. The initial list includes some of the top prospects in the country in this class. New Jersey's ranking includes New York Red Bulls academy (using the club's home base for state rankings) as well as a number of other top clubs from USYS, Boys ECNL, and MLS Next. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/02/updated-2026-new-jersey-boy-rankings/">full rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2022/10/behind-the-scenes-prepsoccers-national-rankings/">our ranking process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out a breakdown on some of the players to know from the rankings below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["100616"],"_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":"Defensive mid. He's clean on the ball. Works hard. In the right spots. Should be a top player to watch in this class. Very strong technically. Doesn't shy away from the ball. Key player for his side. Some of the passes he made against TFA were really impressive. He did force passes earlier in the season - he got caught only looking at one option. I think he's really improved that part of his game. He's scanning more and he is not a one-direction player. Previously played for NYCFC. Has the type of quality to be a mainstay in an MLS academy midfield.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["100635"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnRight back. Good speed. Can hit a cross-field ball with ease. Pretty strong for his age. Has been called into the Youth National Talent ID previously.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["100559"],"_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":"Center midfielder. Skillful. He's a clever player. Quick feet. Uses body fakes and close control to keep defenders off balance. He's often fouled in the center of the field because players are frustrated in playing against him and trying to slow him down. He had a wonderful assist against Cedar Stars Academy.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["100597"],"_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":"Left center back. Moves his feet pretty well. Can get caught ball watching. Not the first target on set pieces for his side, but he is a good option and gets into good spots on free kicks. He's right footed, but ok on either foot.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["100095"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnLeft back. Skillful. Good passer. Good service. Very good at hitting an early service when he sees that the center back is out of position. Great game awareness. Solid defender. Could improve in his tackling. Decent size. Interesting prospect for the professional level. Standout on a very good TSF team.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["100093"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Forward. Strikes a good dead ball. Likes to combine with teammates. He has a tendency to rush the decision though. He had some struggles against the MLS Academies teams as space was limited and he tried to force things, but he was still impactful in the final third. Really shined when given space. High potential with a great work rate.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["100873"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Attacking midfielder with some box-to-box tendencies. He is a key player for the CSA Bergen 07 MLS Next team. Always in the starting lineup. Often the target for crosses, he makes late runs into the box.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["100472"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Forward. Active in the play. He's always on. He plays on the shoulder of the defender when his team is in possession - really great at punishing the defense when they aren't sharp at setting the offside line. Defensively, he is a eager presser when in defensive shape. He is sharp in his movement. Can hit in a driven cross.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["100872"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Defender/Midfielder - Really liked him as a midfielder. Clean on the ball. Willing runner. He is one or two-touch type of player.  Calm and gets his head up. Solid at center back too. Consistent player. Versatile.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["100870"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Left back. Could be center back? Big kid. Part of the Poland youth camp recently. Looked really good on the ball - feels like he's probably never in the middle during rondos, so clean in possession. Clearly can play out of trouble. Excellent passer for the position. Defensively, he got caught ball watching and missed a mark. Solid in duels. Shuts down wingers when on the ball.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["100090"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Winger. He likes to try stuff (insert more vulgar language) - there's a bit of Clint Dempsey to his game. He goes at defenders with the unbridled confidence to take on any player in front of him. He has developed some elite skill on the ball. When he drops his shoulder to go at defenders, he is tough to stop. Defensively, he's good at pressing with his teammates into forcing turnovers. Needs to improve his decision-making especially in the final third.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63fce313b4322"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->