Rankings Preview: Top talent from Virginia's 2028 Class

The Prep Soccer state rankings for Virginia's 2028 class come out this week. Prior to the release of the state rankings, Prep Soccer previews a few of the names to know from this stellar group.   Check out a scouting report on those players below and check back for the full rankings later this week.    Blelloch is a forward on the NVA 09 ECNL team. She was named the Mid-Atlantic Conference Player of the Year and an ECNL All-American at the U15 age group - keep in mind that is basically playing up a class since those are mostly 2027s. She has been part of a number of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. There is a lot to like about Blelloch's game from a scouting perspective. She lines up as a forward for her side, but there is enough versatility and tactical acumen to see her adjust during the game and fill in at different roles. I think this is strong point of her scouting profile. She is an incredible smart player and the way she sees the game is like having a coach on the field. She is technically very good - excellent first touch, good control of the ball, nifty footwork in tight spaces. Blelloch has some room for improvement on her physical play before receiving the ball. She needs to do a better job of putting her body between the defender and the ball - and also making herself bigger so she is more difficult to get around. She had a tough time with some of the defenders during the ECNL postseason in this regard. If she improves on that aspect of her game, there is plenty of reason to believe we will see her on the international level in the future.     Smith is a forward on the VDA 09 ECNL team. She was one of my top performers from the ECNL playoffs. She is a dynamic player who has the pace to get past any defender. She showed her quality against the best of the best from the ECNL playoffs. Smith is an opportunistic finisher. She creates her chances by being in the right position and letting her quick reaction time get her to the ball first around the box. That quick thinking has made her a star at the youth level and earned her a spot on the ECNL All-Conference First Team last season.     Newman is a midfielder on the Richmond United 09 ECNL team. She's been playing up an age group for the past few seasons. She is a 2010 and part of the U.S. Youth National Team pool in that age group. She was also a part of the id2 International Tour in 2024 - the only player from Virginia on the roster. Newman is the type of player you only need to see once for 30 seconds to realize she is special. The passes she attempts on the field and the spots on the field where she operates are more in line with a player on the professional pathway at a top club in Europe. She is poised on the ball and always in control. She plays up an age group in the top club league and still looks like one of the best players on the field in every game she plays in. She had a couple of audacious moments during the postseason with some grass cutting passes that split the defense and created chances. The attacking midfielder is one of the best playmakers in this class in the country and a player who will continue to make some noise at the top level for a long time.     Maletz was a standout from the ECNL Playoffs. She is one of the stars on the Fairfax Union 2010 ECNL squad (Fairfax Brave and Virginia Union have combined - she previously played for Virginia Union). Maletz is a skillful, quick, energetic attacking talent. She can play as a center forward, winger, or attacking midfielder. The way she is able to create chances for her side even against the run of play is special. She plays with a lot of determination and the competitive drive definitely shines. Maletz's mentality will be the reason she is going to be successful at the top level. She has the skill to make it, but it's the mindset and commitment to improving that has her in the Youth National Team pool for this age group. She should be a top player to watch this season in Virginia.     Barnhart is a forward on the VDA 2010 ECNL team. She was another standout for the ECNL playoffs. Barnhart has been part of US Soccer Talent ID events in the past. She is a prolific forward. A speedster with a nose for the goal, Barnhart is likely to be one of the top scorers in the Mid Atlantic Conference this season. She's a good finisher with either foot. An aspect of her game that surprised me from game film was how strong she was on the ball. Defenders bounced off of her and she just kept on going. The forward has been a tough one to stop and will continue to be a focal point of the VDA attack.

The Prep Soccer state rankings for Virginia's 2028 class come out this week. Prior to the release of the state rankings, Prep Soccer previews a few of the names to know from this stellar group.