Georgia seeing explosion of talent
The youth soccer scene has been growing in the state of Georgia, and in the last five years has seen exponential growth. That has led to it being one of the more popular states in terms of producing college level…
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Continue ReadingThe youth soccer scene has been growing in the state of Georgia, and in the last five years has seen exponential growth. That has led to it being one of the more popular states in terms of producing college level talent, and that trend continues in 2023. Here are 10 players who should be big time recruits down the road.
Ansley Jamieson Ansley Jamieson GK Wesleyan | 2027 State GA , Keeper, Wesleyan School, Class of 2027
Jamieson plays for the Concorde Fire ECNL Platinum 2008 ECNL team and the team has been Southeast Champions for all three years this group has been together. She will be a high school student at Wesleyan School when she becomes a freshman in the Fall. She is a player with sound technical skills, meaning her teammates have confidence in her and will play the ball back to her because she is good with both feet and confident under pressure. Jamieson is an excellent shot stopper, and is very aggressive in terms of coming out and getting a ball or closing down an angle. She plays without fear and uses her athleticism to make things hard on attacking players.
Kate Leach Kate Leach 6'0" | F Pace Academy | 2026 State GA , Forward, Pace Academy, Class of 2026
Leach is an attacking player who can play as a striker or as a No. 7 or No. 11. Her versatility allows her to play all across the top. She plays for Pace Academy High, and plays club with TopHat. She is a very fast and technical player, who is dedicated to the game and dedicated to improving. She is athletic, and doesn’t just use her speed to score as she is able to use her excellent foot skills as well. On top of being a great athlete, she is a coachable player, and she is a positive influence on her team as a leader.
Raygen Lewis Raygen Lewis null | D Milton | 2025 State GA , Defender, Cambridge, Class of 2025
Lewis is a very versatile defender. She can play anywhere in the back four. She gets used as a central defender for Cambridge High School, but for her club, the Concorde Fire Platinum 2007 ECNL team, she plays outside back. Lewis feels more comfortable playing outside back. Lewis is a very determined defender. She can get under the skin of an attacking players. She plays a gritty, competitive and aggressive style. She is a very dominant defender, who makes quick decisions and she seems so effortless in her ability to mark attackers and keep up with them. She’s also very skilled and she can push up on the outside and join in the attack if needed.
Emory Pitts Emory Pitts F Alexander | 2027 State GA , Forward, Gwinnett Soccer Academy, Class of 2027
Pitts is just an eighth grader, and has an incredible amount of talent. It’s not known just yet which high school will get that talent, but she plays her club with Gwinnett Soccer Academy. She’s a true forward, and can play as a striker or a winger. The thing that stands out with Pitts when you see her in person or on film is her speed. She is very fast, and hard to keep up with. She is challenging to mark because she is also very strong, very technical and she competes for every opportunity. What you don’t see on film is how hard she works in training, how she is team-first and how she has turned into a leader at GSA.
Coco Qiu Coco Qiu 5'6" | M Madison County | 2026 State GA , Attacking Midfielder/Forward, Madison County, Class of 2026
Many things standout about Qui, but one of the attributes that stands out the most is how calm she is under pressure. She doesn’t panic under pressure. Some players get tunnel vision or go into panic mode, and she does not. This calm demeanor also allows her to be a good and encouraging teammate. She is dedicated to the sport and treats everyone involved like a second family. She will go out of her way to help teammates and coaches, even off the pitch if necessary. At training, she works hard and sets goals for her and her teammates. She is dedicated to improving and does not give up or lose the ball easily. Qui has deception and speed. Defenders cannot predict what she is going to do, and she can change directions with explosion. She is technical and smart with the ball. She is crafty and creates chances for herself and teammates. She’s a very courageous player who is also willing to challenge people. She impacts any game she plays in, she remains optimistic and never stops working hard. Qui is a very versatile attacking player who features as both an attacking midfielder, or a forward on the left side. She plays high school at Madison County and plays club for the Gwinnett Soccer Academy’s 2008 ECNL team.
Marlee Raymond Marlee Raymond 5'8" | D West Forsyth | 2026 State GA , Central Defender, West Forsyth, Class of 2026
Raymond is a central defender, playing at West Forsyth High and playing club for United Football Academy for the 2008 ECNL team. She will be playing up with the 2004/2005 team at the ECNL Nationals in June. Raymond is a relentless competitor who shows sheer determination on the pitch. She has a good soccer IQ, which leads to her being a calm player in the back who will communicate well with her teammates and keep the defense organized. Raymond is physically strong and can take on any attacking player.
Kelly Rodman Kelly Rodman D Fellowship Christian | 2026 State GA , Outside Defender, Fellowship Christian, Class of 2026
Rodman attends Fellowship Christian School in Georgia, and plays for Atlanta Fire United’s 2007 ECNL team as an outside defender. She’s as reliable as they come. She can be trusted to do her job and do it well. Rodman is committed to being the best she can, two things will help make that happen. She is very astute, as she learns quickly, and she is extremely coachable and is willing to learn. Rodman is a very determined player, who does not want to get beat. She will outwork her opponents and she is absolutely tenacious.
Adelei Utz Adelei Utz GK West Forsyth | 2026 State GA , Keeper, United Football Academy, Class of 2026
Utz is a keeper that trains throughout the year, with practically no breaks. She trains with her club, UFA, year-round. She is relentless when it comes to putting in the work and completely committed to getting better. Utz is one of those players that has a drive that you just cannot teach. She is a leader to her teammates, both with her actions and with her words. Her teammates, as well as her competitors, can see her commitment to the sport and to getting better. She does not switch off, remaining focused while on the pitch at all times. These traits have led her to being trusted by her teammates and coaches.
Arielle Vermillion Arielle Vermillion D Jefferson | 2026 State GA , Central Defender, Jefferson, Class of 2026
Vermillion played varsity as a freshman for Jefferson High in Georgia and plays her club for the Atlanta Fire 2008 ECNL team. She is a central defender who really stands out for a number of reasons. She is a fearless defender who plays with physicality and passion. However, Vermillion plays smart and composed. She is able to enforce but check her emotions. She remains focused and switched on at all times. She works very hard, and is a great teammate because she is selfless and will do what is best for the team.
Madilyn Wright Madilyn Wright M State #57 Nation GA , Holding Midfielder, Top Hat, Class of 2026
Wright plays at Top Hat, playing for the 2008 Gold team, and is very dedicated to her training. She is a holding midfielder, but can also play attacking mid when called on to do so. Wright strives to succeed. She likes to be pushed on the pitch, and off of it. She is a hard-working player, committed to getting better and committed to being a good leader to her teammates. She is also a very clever player on the pitch who can pick a pass, play a ball and switch play quickly.