Illinois’ Defensive Standouts: Six 2026s to know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer state ranking for Illinois' 2026 class was updated this week. The Illinois 2026 class is deep with talent in every position. Check out the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/04/updated-2026-illinois-girl-rankings-2/">full rankings here</a>. Learn more about the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">Prep Soccer ranking process here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a scouting report on some of the names to know among the defenders in this group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["22166"],"_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":"Manning is a defender on the Eclipse Select 08 ECNL team. She plays outside back - right back for her club side. She impressed scouts with her recent play as a two-way option. Her play at the high school level has showcased the quality she can offer in the attack as well. She strikes an excellent ball from the run of play and can serve a great cross with pace and accuracy. Manning's shown on game film the type of impact from the outside back position to command the attention of scouts early on in the recruiting process.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["20053"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eJohnson is a defender on the Galaxy SC GA 08 team. She plays left center back for her club team. She is in the midst of an exceptional season at the club level. Johnson brings a well-rounded game to the position. She's a quality defender who enjoys the challenge of taking on the top forward on the opposition. But her best attributes are in possession. She is an excellent passer with either foot. There is reason to believe she could develop into one of the top center backs 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-662ab5775fad4"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-0oUagy2bc","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=y-0oUagy2bc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["136914"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eOberheim is a center back on the Rockford Raptors 08 ECNL team. She plays left center back for her club team. She also wears the captain's armband for her side. She is part of the Illinois ODP team in this age group. Oberheim is a sound defender. She makes the right play consistently and sets an example for her squad. Oberhiem has a bright future in the game thanks to her soccer smarts and leadership.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["22162"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eNickle is a defender on the Rockford Raptors ECNL team. She is a tenacious player who could play a variety of positions. She likely projects as an outside back for the next level, but there is a possibility of a future as a defensive midfielder. She is right footed, aggressive, and determined. She is a very coachable player and has grown her game quite a bit in the past year. From game film, her quick decision-making once she won a tackle and ability to get the ball to her teammates with a good, accurate pass stood out. She was an impactful player at the elite club level.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["171464"],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eSaltijeral is a defender on the Evolution SC 08 ECNL-RL team. She is five-foot-eight and left footed, which already makes a rare prospect from this class. Saltijeral can also play in an attacking role and she is a good finisher - especially when she is playing right wing and cuts inside onto her left. That said, her future is very likely at left back. Her combination of athleticism, skill, and drive makes her a terrific prospect for that role - and one of the top risers in the updated rankings for this class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":[206667],"_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=u0022p1u0022u003eTorres is a defender who plays for Chicago House among other teams. She was an All-Selectional selection as a freshman last season for De La Salle. Torres suffered an injury late last year and is currently rehabbing before returning to the field. Prior to the injury, she was one of the top players in the state from outside of the major leagues. She is one to watch in the second of 2024 as she could be a sneaky top recruit from the 2026 class.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-662ab5775fbd7"} /-->