Texas defenders are versatile, talented and hard-nosed

These six players from Texas are defenders, but that does not completely define them. They have the ability to do more than just defend as they can attack, play other positions, control the ball and create opportunities. They are also very strong, physical players who do not back down.   [player_tooltip player_id='112659' first='Mia' last='Butcher'], Central Defender/Defensive Midfielder, DKSC, Class of 2027   Butcher is incredibly versatile, not only in that she can play as a center back or a No. 6, but in how she can occupy different areas of the pitch. She is not afraid to play high as a defender, and when her ears are pinned back, she loves to get forward and join the attack. She has a good nose for goal and she can distribute. She is a physical player when playing center back or defensive mid, she plays strong, she plays with confidence and she does not get beat. She tracks the ball well, she keeps attackers in front and she shows good timing when tackling or stepping.   [player_tooltip player_id='112556' first='Ari' last='Colquitt'], Outside Defender, Solar SC, Class of 2027   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/07/IMG_6190-crop-1718x1128-1721933662.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-199865" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Laura Wetzel</figcaption></figure>   Colquitt is a left back who is very well-rounded. She can defend and she can contribute to the attack. She is left-footed all the way, but is comfortable with either foot. She is very good as a team defender, but also stands out in 1v1 situations. On the attack, she shows great vision and passing ability. She's very accurate on crosses, she cuts in and plays a nice ball on the ground and if given space, she will exploit it and express herself as she is not afraid to drive into the area.   [player_tooltip player_id='26610' first='Cassidy' last='Horton'], Defender/Midfielder, Solar SC, Class of 2026   Horton is a hybrid between a midfielder and a defender as she spends a good amount of time at both. As a midfielder, she is excellent about being available to her teammates, she uses her body to shield well, she uses space and momentum as well to create space and receive the ball while moving forward. Whether playing as a defender or midfielder, she plays a beautiful through ball and she also likes to get forward and be a threat as she has goal-scoring ability. As a defender, she's very solid, very sound as she always seems to make the right decision.   Bri Lilly, Central Defender, Sting Black, Class of 2025   Lilly is very tough. Watch her tape and you will see just how tough she is. She is brave and strong and physical, but also very athletic. She has tremendous timing when it comes to tackling, she gets them right, she dispossesses well and she is strong in the air. She is also incredibly agile, so when an attacker tries to feint her, she does not get wrong-footed and has great closing speed so she never seems to get beat. She has the ability to break lines by playing the ball on the ground, but also plays a good ball over the top and usually finds an attacking player's feet.   [player_tooltip player_id='229580' first='Delaney' last='Perry'], Central Defender/Defensive Midfielder, Rise SC, Class of 2027   Perry is a strong No. 6 and center back who does not get pushed around. She is incredibly strong on the ball, and this actually shows up on both ends of the pitch. Whether she's playing in the back or she's playing in the midfield. When dispossessing a player she can hold on to the ball under pressure, and not rush into a bad decision and as a midfielder, either when she's acting as a pivot or pushing up, she just does not get knocked off the ball. She's a wonderful slide tackler, she is good in the air and shows good timing on both.   [player_tooltip player_id='112583' first='Dilan' last='Pistorius'], Outside Defender/Forward, Sting Royal, Class of 2027   Pistorius reads the game and anticipates incredibly well. She does not let a wide forward use the angle to create separation as she is always mindful of where that player is and she knows when to step into a passing lane or when she is better off tracking back and closing out. She has easy speed as she seems to glide past players when pushing forward as she is comfortable fanning out wide and sending in a cross or cutting in and either playing a ball to a runner in the box or laying it off for a player underlapping. She is very physical, very strong, whether defending 1v1 or beating someone up the touch line.

These six players from Texas are defenders, but that does not completely define them. They have the ability to do more than just defend as they can attack, play other positions, control the ball and create opportunities. They are also very strong, physical players who do not back down.