Ranking Analysis: Illinois’ best 2026 prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer player rankings for <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/03/updated-2026-illinois-girl-rankings/">Illinois' Class of 2026 were released this week</a>. The rankings come after an extensive scouting effort from club games, showcase events, and other opportunities since the state of the club season and the end of last club season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a scouting report on some of the players in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["104881"],"_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":"Forward. Physical. Dominant on the field. Her club team tends to play pretty direct soccer and it works because they have players like LaFollette leading the line. She's going to win foot races and knock defenders off their feet. Good technique on ball-striking. Keeps her toe down, lands on her shooting foot. Seems like she's been coached at an individual level from early on.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["104928"],"_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":"Center Defense. The CIU style of play puts a lot on the shoulders of Wille. The back three is spread pretty far out and Wille has to cover quite a bit of ground to adequately anchor the defense. The team also relies on her to look long on her distribution as she is likely to pick out a forward with her passes. She has the leg to change the field with one kick. She's a strong defender and a major reason for CIU's success in the GA this season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["102414"],"_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":"Midfielder. Quick feet. Vicious in the tackle. Looks to combine with teammates - really tries to use 1-2 quick passing to break through the defense. Good work rate and a willing runner.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["104876"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnMidfielder. Can really play any spot in a midfield three, which makes her a perfect no. 8. She is left footed. Strikes the ball well. Good vision. Provides key passes. Can score from within 30 yards.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktopu0026amp;v=hwS8wEuqnSku0026amp;noapp=1u0022u003eLinku003c/au003ernrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["102403"],"_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":"Forward. Great close control of the ball. Skillful dribbler. Can work out of tight spaces. The question for Arias is how she will influence the game when she's not on the ball. She has shown good instincts when pressing and looks like a solid defender.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["104892"],"_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":"Midfielder - box-to-box or defensive. She might be way better than she has shown up to this point. Her game is clean. The knock on her is that her side bypasses the midfield with their distribution so Hoffman isn't on the ball as much as some other midfielders. When she is on the ball, she shows all of the characteristics that scouts want from a player in that position. She is also one of the best defensively in the role. She is a player that is impossible for a coach to take off the field.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["104793"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnCenter midfielder/defensive midfield. Right footed. Reads the game well. Great passer. Really stood out from game film. She makes the right pass, but then makes the run to get the next pass or makes the subtle move to create space to receive the next pass. She never hides. Really a great asset to have in the midfield. Could be even more aggressive in her passing as she values possession highly, but there did seem to be times when she saw a line splitting pass to open up the opposition but elected to take the safe route. Fun player to watch.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["102402"],"_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":"Wide midfielder. Right midfielder. Strong leg. Takes corner kicks. Looks like she could be a box-to-box midfielder or a shutdown outside back. She has pretty good footwork and dribbling. She serves an excellent cross from the run of play. She is a good 1v1 player - on both sides of the ball, which makes her a promising prospect for outside back as well.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["104794"],"_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. Right center back in a back three. Strong on the tackle. Physical player who is not afraid to put in a challenge. She is good on the ball and does well in getting her head to find passes. Feels like she should be higher on the radar moving forward because she has the tools to be a great center back.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["102322"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnMidfielder/Winger. Playmaker. Scored some wonderful goals this season in ECNL-RL. Looks like she is right footed, but comfortable with either foot - she can play on either wing. Good skill on the ball. Clever passer. Great in the transition. I think she's better in the center but has good skill on the ball to shine on the wing as well.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["104797"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnGoalkeeper. Active off her line. Very good with her feet. Always an option for her center backs when trying to break pressure. Good hands. Could improve in decision-making on crosses about when to come get the ball and when to stay on line.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu0026nbsp;rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["104851"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Midfielder. Defensive center midfielder. Dictates where the game is played. Strong on the ball in possession and not afraid to put in a tackle. Connects passes quickly and accurately. Top option at that role in the state.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["104850"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Defender. Left center back for Libertyville 1974. Grad year not verified. Left footed. Strikes the ball well. Takes free kicks for her team. Smart about her position defensively. Reads the game well. Called into US Youth National Team Regional Talent ID","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":13,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6406456666805"} /-->