California 2027's ready to shine

For some time now, it has been known that the 2027 class in California is going to have a lot of special players. These five are going to be heavily recruited and could be players that make a leap on PrepSoccer's rankings list. Watch out for these five to really shine during this calendar year.   [player_tooltip player_id='111177' first='Zuri' last='Brandt'], Forward, MVLA   Brandt has wonderful soccer instincts, showing the ability to not just occupy space, but to occupy the right space, even if that means dropping back. Her understanding of this allows for things to open up for her and her team. She also has the ability to bury a shot from range in the Upper V. It's astounding how often she does that. She has a wicked left foot, but can score with either, she can play as a wide forward on either side, but tends to play as a No. 11. She's fast and doesn't have to slow down when she one times a shot, she makes clever well-timed runs and uses angles well to get past defenders.   [player_tooltip player_id='144757' first='Liberty' last='Drago'], Central Defender, Slammers FC   Drago is going to be a player that pops up on the radars of many elite soccer programs this year. She is special. She played as a center back for one of the best high school teams in the state, and was dominant against older attackers, often times players going on to the next level. She's a fierce competitor who does not get beat 1v1. She doesn't get juked or feinted, her reaction time is instant and she possesses a lot of fast twitch. She is strong in the air and wonderful when it comes to dispossessing a player. She likes to get involved on corner kicks as well, scoring on them with her head as well as being able to score with her feet. She is the entire package.   [player_tooltip player_id='19136' first='Audrey' last='Glover'], Forward, San Juan SC   Glover has a fantastic ability to hold off defenders while in possession, and she likes to hold them off longer than most normally would, because she draws attention and then she plays a ball into space and her team are off and running. Often times she can turn and beat two defenders on her own. When acting as a target striker, she is fantastic about laying the ball off and then continuing her run. She's more than just that, though, as she shows great ability on the ball, great movement off the ball and really times her runs well. She finishes with either foot, very cooly and in a multitude of ways.   [player_tooltip player_id='147324' first='Ariel' last='Hester'], Outside Defender, Mustang SC   Hester improved a lot during the 2023/2024 season, party because she played varsity at Carondelet, a top program in the state and gained experience against older players. She is a strong and physical defender, one who is excellent in 1v1 situations but also is an excellent ball-winner. She is very strong in the air and is a solid tackler. She shows good foot skills to go with good speed, which gives her confidence to possess and build out of the back.   [player_tooltip player_id='112467' first='Rylee' last='Kitain'], Outside Defender, LAFC   Kitain has an absolute engine that does not stop. The rising sophomore at Newbury Park High is passionate, strong and physical and she will not be pushed around. She does not give up on trying to win the ball, she has great technique when it comes to tackling and dispossesses and does not give away silly fouls. She takes pride in her defense, but she also goes the other way very well. She plays a nice ball going forward as she can play it up the line to forward or pick a pass to split the defense to the attacking mid as well. She transitions and gets up the line quickly and can play a nice ball into the area in the final third.

For some time now, it has been known that the 2027 class in California is going to have a lot of special players. These five are going to be heavily recruited and could be players that make a leap on PrepSoccer's rankings list. Watch out for these five to really shine during this calendar year.