Rankings Analysis: Depth shines in New Jersey’s 2027 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The PrepSoccer State Player Rankings for the Class of 2027 for New Jersey were released this week. New York Red Bulls players are considered part of this class since their home venue is in New Jersey. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Red Bulls Academy holds most of the top spots in the rankings and will hold many of the top spots in the national rankings. Red Bulls had five players on the Youth National Team in this age group at one point and continues to have a few starters with the 09 age group.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the MLS Academy is deep and full of star power, most of the players in the scouting report below are from non-MLS academies. Read about the top players from the New Jersey 2027 class below. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["158336"],"_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":"Mehmeti is the starting defensive midfielder for the U.S. U15 National Team. He has also been called into the Albania U15 National Team. He is playing for the New York Red Bulls U17 team mostly this season. He is on the fast track to a professional contract so this might be the only time he appears on PrepSoccer, but feel free to enjoy the highlight reel below to see what the future looks like for the National Team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a8565be866a"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCmIPr0NGVM","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=HCmIPr0NGVM </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["17729"],"_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":"McKenna is a midfielder on the Kearny Thistle United U15 team. He was recently a standout at the Super Y event. McKenna is part of the New Jersey ODP team as well. He is one of the better players from outside of the big name leagues in this class. Calm on the ball and smooth in his movement, McKenna has the tell-tale signs of a player who can shine in the midfield. He is one to watch for the future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["159365"],"_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":"Mixon is a defender on the STA 08 Boys ECNL team. He plays left center back, but I've also seen him feature at outside back. The 6-foot-2 defender offers a well-rounded game. He is an excellent 1v1 defender - strong in the tackle, but light on his feet. Mixon is a top prospect from the STA side, which includes a number of 2026 standouts.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["159371"],"_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":"McLaud is a defender on the STA 08 Boys ECNL team. He had an outstanding freshman season with West Morris. He plays as the right center back for his high school team. He is excellent on the ball - smooth dribbler, calm under pressure, and at ease using either foot. McLaud is excellent in distribution and scans through his options quickly. He is one to watch from this class after his stellar display at the school level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["159372"],"_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":"Weissman is a defender on the Real Jersey MLS Next 09 team. He wears the captain's armband for his club team. I've seen him play left back at the club team. Weissman's play this season earned him a spot on the MLS Next Best Of squad during the winter showcase in Arizona in December. He's a solid 1v1 defender. He does well in anticipating the next pass and cutting out the option. Weissman can handle playing at a quicker speed thanks to a good first touch on the ball. There is at least once a game when he shows his quality on the ball with a flashy dribbling display. He will need to adjust to the more physical elements at the next level as well as the limited time on the ball, but the Real Jersey standout has shown plenty of promise.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["159490"],"_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":"Luebbert is a center back on the Real Jersey MLS Next 09 team. He plays on the left side of the defense. He is a solid defender. Reads the game well, gets in front of the forward to cut out passes when they are hit slowly. Has enough pace to recover. He looks confident on the ball. His ability to play away from pressure with either foot really impressed me. Luebbert has the physical profile to be a player to watch for the future.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["159505"],"_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":"Chemwono is a forward on the New York Red Bulls U15 MLS Next team. He was part of the team last season that won the MLS Next Cup in this age group. Chemwono has been part of the U.S. Soccer Talent ID events recently. He's a skillful, powerful forward who is a ruthless finisher when given space. He is one of the up-and-coming prospects from the Red Bulls academy.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a8565be87da"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19048109/655a6ceb02bc3812a00eed6c' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a8565be888b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["159492"],"_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":"Napoli is a midfielder on the Real Jersey 09 MLS Next team. He is right footed. Hits a good set piece. He stood out for his activity. At the MLS Next level, he was making impactful plays with his effort. Dynamic on the ball, Napoli is a force for his club side.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["159373"],"_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":"Pepe is a midfielder/defender on the Real Jersey 09 MLS Next team. I've seen him play as a defendsive midfielder as well as right outside back. I think he was more effective as the No. 6, but he still had a solid outing at right back. When he is playing in the center, Pepe is active in showing for his teammates. He works tirelessly to be an option for an outlet pass. He possesses good balance on the ball and is difficult to knock of it. He is a clever player who can contribute key passes for this side.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["159517"],"_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":"Nieto is an attacking midfielder on the Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth 09 MLS Next Team. He has been part of the US Soccer Talent ID Center events. He is right footed and takes the free kicks for his club team. He is a technical player who likes to have the ball at his feet. He is quick in tight spaces and has great close control of the ball. Nieto has shown some promise this season in MLS Next as an elite playmaker. He is one to watch in 2024.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65a8565be893e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->