Who are Georgia’s Top Defenders from 2026?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer Georgia 2026 state rankings were updated this week. The updated rankings take into account the summer events as well as the start of the new club season. There were a number of players added to the new rankings. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2023/10/updated-2026-georgia-girl-rankings-2/">the full list here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">the ranking process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the strong points of the 2026 class in Georgia in the defenders. There are top center backs, outside backs, and goalkeepers. Below is a scouting report on the best defenders from the class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21783"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eEbersole is a defender on the Concorde Fire Platinum 08 ECNL team. She plays as the left center back for her club side. Ebersole has been outstanding during the ECNL season this fall. Strong in the tackle, confident on the ball, and pinging passes all over the pitch with pace and accuracy. The center back was already highly rated in our state rankings for this class, but she is making a strong case for a prominent place on the national list in the next update.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6537f88552759"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCa_lhOXjUE","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCa_lhOXjUE </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21543"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003ePrymak is a defender on the Concorde Fire Premier 08 ECNL team. She is a center back on that team. She plays a role that almost looks like a stopper in a man-marking role, but she could play in any role across the defense. She stood out from game film for her play as an individual defender. When she was man-marking, she was great at anticipating and stepping in front of the forward to cut out passes. She was also excellent at knocking down clearances from the opposing goalkeeper and keeping pressure on the front foot for her team.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["112054"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eStancil is a defender/forward on the Atlanta Fire 08 ECNL team. Stancil is listed as a defender on her player profile, but I've seen her play right wing too. Stancil is an interesting prospect. She has the physical profile to be a Division I player. She is likely going to be an outside back at the next level. She is tall with a long stride. She hits a dangerous cross. Stancil is a weapon on set pieces too with her fearless headers.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["110946"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eDzenis is a defender on the Tophat Gold GA 08 team. I've mainly seen her play center back this season. She is listed as a midfielder/defender on her player profile. She could probably fill in at defensive midfield too. Dzenis has been in our rankings for some time, but she's really impressed this season with her consistency at center back. She is part of a Tophat defense that has only conceded four goals through the first few months of the season in the Girls Academy. Individually, Dzenis showed excellent development in how she marks center forwards. She is good at using her body and hands to keep control of the player. She keeps the player in front of her and does well in poking away the ball. She has the physical and athletic profile to be a four-year starter at the next level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["112052"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eMartelli is a defender on the Atlanta Fire 08 ECNL team. She plays as the left center back for her club side. Her sister is one of the top players in the region from the 2025 class - and a verbal commit to Alabama. She comes from a soccer family. The younger Martelli is a strong player. Players bump off her and fly, while she keeps her feet and likely walks away with the ball. I've mainly seen her play left center back, but she's right footed. Good passer for the position. Martelli and her center back partner [player_tooltip player_id='21559' first='Arielle' last='Vermillion'] have been quite a pair this season. They've anchored four shutouts in a row in ECNL play.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6537f88552908"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7My9Cbh9O0","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7My9Cbh9O0 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["113429"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eMoss is a defender on the Concorde Fire Premier 08 ECNL team. She is a center back on the team. Moss is a stellar defender. Athletic, determined, and skillful, Moss has the attributes that translate to the next level. She's been a key player for her club team during ECNL games this season. Often the last line of defense, Moss makes a number of game-changing players each game.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6537f885529a1"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KolbyMoss2026/status/1707860430914191376","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KolbyMoss2026/status/1707860430914191376 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112011"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eClark is a defender on the GSA 08 ECNL team. She is listed as a midfielder, but I've seen her play right back. She is from Gulf Breeze, Florida and plays for Pensacola FC as well. Clark is in the Georgia rankings because she plays for GSA in the ECNL and that is where we have seen her play the most. Clark immediately stood out from game film in the ECNL Southeast Conference this season. She went flying into a slide tackle without a second thought. She came away clean with the ball. She is the perfect embodiment of the GSA team. They're skillful but not afraid to be scrappy. A fluid athlete with drive, Clark is going to be a top outside back in this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6537f88552a2e"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/AvrilClark08/status/1711215572321546293","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/AvrilClark08/status/1711215572321546293 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["21853"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eRaymond is a defender on the UFA 08 ECNL team. She is part of the U.S. U16 Girls National Team. She primarily plays as the left center back for her club team. Raymond is the main raiser in the rankings with this update. The confidence she is playing with right now is awesome to watch and makes her one of the players that you just love to watch. Raymond is taking on more with every game. She is better at progressing the ball up the field with it under her control. She is trying different passes. She is learning from these games too. Defensively, she is the best defender in this class by a large margin - and it might only be a matter of time before she is in the conversation for the top spot in the state rankings.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["20975"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eGoodman has been outstanding recently in Girls Academy for Tophat. She is the top ranked goalkeeper from the 2026 class in Georgia. Goodman has always been a standout in the net for her shot-stopping and competitive nature. Recently, her footwork has really improved. She is confident on the ball and making good decisions when passing out of the back. There was a recent game when Goodman was under pressure with the ball at her feet. She was calm in finding an outlet before hitting a driven ball over 40 yards on the ground to find the winger in space. That type of improvement is showcasing to scouts that Goodman is going to be a top goalkeeper from this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6537f88552b19"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7eGpmU9gWA","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7eGpmU9gWA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->