Senior boys to watch from CA's 2025 class

It is a talent-rich class, these members of the 2025 graduation class in California. With a lot of talent out there to enjoy watching play, here is one player from every corner of California to watch in the next club and high school season.   [player_tooltip player_id='79826' first='Andres' last='Araujo'], Forward/Attacking Midfielder, Richmond   Araujo has been a special player since he came on to the radar in 2021 and four years later that fact still remains. He is a player with the vision, passing ability, technical skills and creativity of a No. 10 with the goal-scoring prowess of a forward. He has always had an advanced skill set as he continues to be a player who anticipates well, shows great instincts and awareness in terms of spacing, timing and game flow. He's a player who is tremendous on the ball who has foot skills that grab the attention of those who see him play.   [player_tooltip player_id='8740' first='Ty' last='Branigan'], Defensive Midfielder, Placer United/Woodcreek   Branigan is the lynchpin for any team he takes the pitch for. He has great natural instincts and feel for the game. He knows where to be at all times. He understands when to float into space, or when to track back and receive the ball. He understands when to get back on defense, or when to step into a passing lane. He's also very technically gifted, showing good foot skills with the ability to possess, the ability to pick a pass and he can get involved going forward.   [player_tooltip player_id='144256' first='Nate' last='Coughlin'], Forward, San Francisco Elite SC/Serra   Coughlin is a versatile player who can play out wide, play up top and can also sink into the midfield if needed. He has tremendous foot skills and ability, as his touch is excellent. He never seems to lose the ball and he does not push it out in front of him too far. He operates well in tight spaces, and is not affected by having traffic around him. He is able to split defenders, or beat multiple defenders in creative ways. If he is 1v1 with a defender, he's going to create problems. He is excellent about cutting back on his preferred right foot, but can use either, can score with either and finds clever ways to score as he can do so with power, he can slot a ball home or get even more creative with a flick or chip. He also creates for his teammates very well because of all of the traffic that he attracts.   Avian Gonzalez Flores, Defender, Total Futbol/Mater Dei   Gonzalez Flores opens up the 2024/2025 calendar year as perhaps the best center back in the state, and certainly the best one without a college commitment. He makes challenges with authority, and though you will feel it, he wins the ball. He's a fierce, physical player who defends with gusto and effort. He can man-mark, he understands zonal marking, he helps and covers for his teammates. He can do it all defensively. He can also break lines with sharp, accurate and precise passes. He's not lazy or sloppy with them as they have purpose behind them. He gets involved in the attack as well on set pieces and corner kicks, and is a force with headers.   Garik Mkrtchyan, Central Defender, Cal Odyssey/Clovis North   Mkrtchyan is commited to UCLA and the Bruins program is getting a very, very physical defender who does not get intimidated. He can lock down almost any attacker. He's not just a brooding center back, either, despite being a player who tackles hard, tackles well and is very strong in the air. He has good speed to go with his size so tracking back or pushing up look easy to him. He can play on the blal as well, remaining calm and composed when it is at his feet. He likes to get involved down the pitch and is lethal on headers.   Kayden Montgomery, Central Defender, Legends FC/Etiwanda   Montgomery is a fluid athlete, one who moves well, who has good feet and is in control of his movements. He tracks the ball well, he positions himself well and it allows him to be in the right spot and the right time. He plays physically, he's not afraid of a challenge and will win most 50/50 balls. He also shows his athleticism when he pushes forward as he has great foot skills, can carry the ball and likes to get involved in the area.   Emiliano Postlethwaite, Defender, Rebels SC/St. Augustine   Postlethwaite is an incredibly sound, well-rounded defender. He's on-ball defending is incredibly tough to beat, and off the ball, he really secures an area of the pitch. He's a strong player who plays soundly and fundamentally. He shows excellent composure, he is neat and tidy in his movements and when he's on the ball.   Micah Rossen, Forward, LA Surf/Harvard-Westlake   Rossen is a very, very special player. He has a quick trigger as the ball just seems to explode off his foot. He is incredible in tight areas, constantly splitting defenders, receiving the ball in tight spaces and finding a way to be a threat. He understands how to link up and when to overlap or underlap, or when to trail. His ability to play the ball with one-touch, or to hit the ball one-time, is simply a work of art. He is hyper athletic, with all of the tools. He can run, he can jump, he is agile, showing a lot of quick-twitch.

It is a talent-rich class, these members of the 2025 graduation class in California. With a lot of talent out there to enjoy watching play, here is one player from every corner of California to watch in the next club and high school season.