New Names to Know from the Updated 2024 National Rankings
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The PrepSoccer National 2024 Recruiting Rankings were released for the first time this week. With the new recruiting rankings, PrepSoccer has also updated the National Player Rankings for this class. The 2024 group is completely different from the initial rankings,…
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Continue ReadingThe PrepSoccer National 2024 Recruiting Rankings were released for the first time this week. With the new recruiting rankings, PrepSoccer has also updated the National Player Rankings for this class.
The 2024 group is completely different from the initial rankings, which were released last year. Players who signed professional contracts in the past year have been moved out of the rankings, and new players have been added. There has also been some movement in the top ranked player for this class. Check out our explanation on the rankings process here.
David Vazquez from Total Futbol Academy/Philadelphia Union is the top player in the updated rankings for this class. The talented attacker is likely on the professional pathway – and he will be moved onto the watch list if he goes that route – but he remains in our rankings as an amateur up to this point.
Vazquez is not alone in making a big push up the rankings board with this update. A number of players saw their stock rise in the past year. Check out a scouting report on some of the new names to the rankings with this update below.
Alanis is on the short list of best uncommitted talents in the 2024 class at this point. The Eclipse Boys ECNL program is outstanding and Alanis is one of the jewels of that group. He is a tactician in the midfield. Brilliant on the field as well as in the classroom (4.6 GPA), Alanis checks the boxes that college coaches immediately look for from a recruit. His game is skillful and dynamic. Cheeky nutmegs combined with a cannon of a leg, make him one of the most entertaining midfielders in Boys ECNL. The right-footed playmaker really stands out from his peers in his ability to create space against his defender. His first step and start-stop often create enough of an opening for him to make the key play in the game. He will be a difference-maker at the next level.
Evan Battistessa has been on the rise this past season. The Northern California standout is listed as a midfielder on his player profile, but he is a versatile player who could star in a number of roles. He is a commanding player on the field – dominant in duels and his influence in the game. He covers a ton of ground and his engine is non-stop during the game. This summer has been a big showcase for Battistessa. He earned an invite to the Conference Cup featuring the top players in the Boys ECNL and followed that up with a stellar showing at Gothia Cup in Sweden playing with the Nor Cal PDP. He is definitely one to watch this season.
Jack Kryger is a verbal commit to Army. He is a highly decorated recruit from the Boys ECNL so we might just be late on recognizing his quality. The striker was prolific at both the high school and club level. His highlight clip is dated – there’s no reason to update it considering his verbal commitment – but he has only improved and grown his game during the past season. The impressive part about Kryger’s game is how comfortable he is with either foot on the dribble. He can attack defenders going in either direction. He also keeps close control in these situations and can navigate through traffic around the box. Kryger could end up being one of the top forwards from this class. He’s shown that type of quality in spurts during the past year.
Cribb is the type of player who will end up as a three-year starter at the next level and a number of coaches will feel silly for not prioritizing him more in the recruiting process. Smart, competitive, and an excellent defender, Cribb is a fantastic center back. My favorite part about the left center back’s game is his mentality. His highlight reel focuses on defending, which really is one of the strongest parts of his game. He is also excellent in aerial duels and passing out of pressure in the build-out. He is composed on the ball and a leader for his team. He is one of the best center backs in this class.
A 6-3 midfielder with excellent footwork and a tough-nose tackler, McGlone looks the part of an impactful player for the next level. The Ohio Premier standout has a lot of strong points to his game. The one element that stood out to me was the quick decision making on the ball. When watching game film, he always looked like he knew where he was going to pass the ball next. McGlone can play as an attacking midfielder or even a box-to-box midfielder. He is listed as a midfield, forward on his player profile but I think a deeper-lying playmaker role might be in his future.