PrepSoccer 2024 Boys Recruiting Rankings (1-10)
In this article:
The PrepSoccer Recruiting Rankings for the Boys Class of 2024 were unveiled for the first time this past week. This is the last installment of the debut of the top 30 for the rankings. Check out the PrepSoccer 2024 Boys…
Access all of Prep Soccer
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe PrepSoccer Recruiting Rankings for the Boys Class of 2024 were unveiled for the first time this past week. This is the last installment of the debut of the top 30 for the rankings. Check out the PrepSoccer 2024 Boys Recruiting Rankings 11-20. Check out the PrepSoccer 2024 Boys Recruiting Rankings 21-30.
Check out a rundown of the top 10 programs below.
1. Saint Louis
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #4 Jackson Delkus Jackson Delkus F Laurel Springs | 2024 #4 Nation MO (St. Louis City SC), #24 Gershon Henry (Real Salt Lake), #56 Braydon Sellers Braydon Sellers M #60 Nation MO (St. Louis City SC), #75 Zach Stanton Zach Stanton D #79 Nation MO (St. Louis City SC), #123 Drake Fournier (Austin FC), Connor Dillman Connor Dillman 6'2" | GK Sacred Heart Griffin | 2024 MO (SLSG), Xavier Holloway (NCFC Youth Academy)
With five players ranking in the top 125 in our national rankings, Saint Louis has the depth in this class to go toe-to-toe with any incoming 2024 group – combined that with the top college-bound talent in this class heading to Saint Louis, it is an easy pick for the No. 1 class at this point. Delkus is a special talent. A dynamic attacker who toyed with defenders in MLS Next last season, he looked like a class above the competition and quickly rose the ranks in our player rankings over the past year. Delkus offers the type of game-breaking quality that is rare to find in an incoming talent. Gershon Henry is the other top 25 talent in this class. One of the top prospects from Real Salt Lake, Henry is an outstanding defender who has been a part of the US Youth National Team in the past.
2. Wake Forest
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #5 Dylan Borso (Chicago Fire), #10 Daniel Krueger (Philadelphia Union), #110 Joel Torbic (Barca Academy), Owen Barnett (Atlanta United), Joshua Davila-Richardson (Chargers SC)
Dylan Borso had plenty of programs after him and Wake Forest landed the Chicago Fire standout. The forward had some games last season in MLS Next when he went 1v11 and still scored. Borso’s quality on the ball definitely shines from the youth level. His competitive nature is also something that should help in the physical college game. Borso’s older brother, Wyatt, is currently playing for Notre Dame so the younger Borso should be ready for that level immediately. Krueger is exactly the type of player that will be a four-year star at Wake Forest. He is versatile enough to play multiple positions at Union. I believe his future with Wake Forest is at center back. It’s hard to turn down a player with his vision and passing in that role who can also defend and organize. Krueger is among the players who looks the most ready to compete in the ACC in this class.
3. Portland
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #9 Ronnie Dalgado Ronnie Dalgado D LA Galaxy | 2024 State #9 Nation CA (LA Galaxy), #12 Adrian Wibowo Adrian Wibowo M #12 Nation CA (LAFC), Jared Salazar (FC Dallas), Zaharia Taifi (Orlando City), Yazly Nazarov (Oregon Premier)
Portland head coach has been active in tapping into the Southern California market for top recruits. It’s definitely paid off for this 2024 class. Ronnie Dalgado Ronnie Dalgado D LA Galaxy | 2024 State #9 Nation CA from LA Galaxy was recently named the MLS Next Pro Rising Star of the Week for his performance in the shutout against Real Monarchs and then scoring in the penalty kick shootout. The left-footed defender looks to be on the rise as he prepares for the college game. Adrian Wibowo Adrian Wibowo M #12 Nation CA is the player in this group with the highest upside. He is having a terrific summer with LAFC’s second team in MLS Next Pro. The common theme among the Portland recruits is these players have already proven their quality against older competition. Jared Salazar is another one who has been playing with his club’s reserve team, North Texas SC. The word that jumps out when watching his game film is “silky.” He is so smooth on the ball as a midfield playmaker that it is easy to see why he is so highly rated by the Portland staff and his current coaches.
4. Georgetown
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #16 Charles DeMarco (BW Gottschee), #30 Tate Lampman (Houston Dynamo), #91 Jack Brown (PA Classics), #119 Aidan Godinho (Orlando City), #126 Zayan Ahmed (Solar)
Once again, Georgetown has a stellar class inbound. Charles DeMarco is our top ranked goalkeeper headed to the college game from this group – there would have been more debate about this but some of the other considered either signed professional contracts or graduated early. DeMarco’s played earn him an invite to play with the USA U19 Men’s National Team. Listed at 6-3 on his player profile, DeMarco somehow plays bigger in goal in the game. With a wide wingspan and athleticism, DeMarco can cover the whole frame of the goal with ease. His distribution is excellent as well. Lampman was selected from the MLS Next All-Star Game this summer. He has appeared in multiple games for Dynamo 2 this summer. He won over 70% of the duels at that level. Jack Brown is a talented midfielder who is a perfect fit for the Georgetown style of play.
5. Maryland
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #14 Owen Presthus (Crew SC), #101 Jameson Michel (Baltimore Armour), #123 Alexi Mihalek (Tampa Bay United), Aidan Sheppela (Seacoast United)
Owen Presthus could be the most talented player in this class. The previous knock on him has been consistency from game-to-game, but he’s made a big jump in the past six months. His approach from game-to-game is the mentality of a top player and his new ranking reflects that. It’s great news for Maryland as that staff knows how to develop talent into professionals. Jameson Michel is another playmaker in this class for Maryland. He is a fun player to watch on tape and one of the best local talents for Maryland. He is right-foot dominant but he is still difficult to defend. With a great change of pace and close control, Michel dribbles through defenders like they are cones. That’s tougher to do at a program like Maryland, but he’s shown the quality to do it at the highest youth levels in the past.
6. Virginia
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #40 Michael Howard (Atlanta United), #80 Anthony Faupel Anthony Faupel F #83 Nation MO (St. Louis City SC), #130 Luke Burns (Phoenix Rising), Spencer Sanderson (Austin FC)
Virginia regularly has big one of the best programs at recruiting talent over the last decade. This 2024 class has the same feel as some of those best classes. There is top talent in Michael Howard from Atlanta United. The attacking standout can play on either wing or even operate through the center channel. The level of play he has displayed in the past year with Atlanta United suggests he should be one of the players to earn playing time immediately at the next level. He is too creative and dangerous in the final third to keep off the field for long. Burns is one of my favorite center midfielder in MLS Next from outside of an MLS Academy. A player with a well-rounded game, he could be one to watch in the future as he adjust to the college game.
7. UCLA
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #7 Skair-Ajani Nixon (LAFC), #41 Tamir Ratoviz Tamir Ratoviz M State #45 Nation CA (LAFC)
It’s a small UCLA class at this point, but the local talent is pretty exciting for the powerhouse program soon heading to the Big Ten. Nixon is one of the top players in our player rankings for this class. He plays right center back for the LAFC Academy. Nixon looks like the most ready player on the LAFC U17 team for the next level during the GA Cup this spring. He is composed on the ball, smart about anticipating the play, and a leader for his side. The performances at the youth level have earned him opportunities to train and play with the older teams and pro teams at the club. His club teammate Tamir Ratoviz Tamir Ratoviz M State #45 Nation CA is another local standout heading to UCLA. The coaches there are going to love his effort and determination. Ratoviz is a two-way midfielder who can do it all.
8. North Carolina
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #43 Michael Dunne (Portland Timbers), #49 Gavin Netzel Gavin Netzel D #50 Nation MO (St. Louis City SC), #50 Tate Johnson (Crown Legacy FC)
Once again North Carolina is adding pieces that look ready to play immediately and have shown the quality against current professionals. Tate Johnson has been playing on a USL Academy contract for two seasons now. He is currently on loan with Crown Legacy FC. Netzel is a high-upside center back. He is a super smart player. He reads the game well and shuts down the opposition with key interceptions. Netzel was excellent this season in MLS Next and announced his arrival as one of the top players in this class.
9. Notre Dame
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #17 Blake Kelly (Real Salt Lake), #55 Ian Shaul (Portland), #128 Stephen Dunphy Stephen Dunphy F #134 Nation CA (Surf), #131 Brady Hilden (Shattuck St. Mary’s), Jacob Bartlett (Sporting KC)
Blake Kelly is another top goalkeeper headed to the college game. The Real Salt Lake shot-stopper has been one of the top prospects from that academy. He has six appearances in MLS Next Pro this season. With Bryan Dowd graduating this year, the Notre Dame net will be slightly open for the taking in 2024. It’s not an easy path to the top spot, but Kelly certainly has the quality to be a freshman goalkeeper that the coaching staff can trust full. Ian Shaul has also been playing in MLS Next Pro for Timbers 2. With one goal in eight appearances, Shaul has looked the part of a midfielder who can contribute immediately.
10. Indiana
Verbal commitments (as of August 24): #39 Charlie Heuer (FC United), #92 Michael Nesci (Chicago Fire), #109 Miles Imparato Miles Imparato M CA (Chargers), #139 Easton Bogard (Chicago Fire), #150 Jackson Lindimore (Crew SC), Nolan Kinsella (Indiana Fire Academy),Drew Thompson (Indiana Fire Academy)
Charlie Heuer is obviously the gem of this group, but Indiana’s coaching staff is renown for finding undercover prospects as well. Heuer is not one of those players. Known as one of the best players in Illinois in this class, Heuer delivered for his MLS Next club team during this season and continued to fool defenders with his elusiveness. Trying to find the next star of Indiana in this class might come down to local product Nolan Kinsella. A 6-2 attacker with athleticism, he looked unstoppable in the USL Academy games.