California boys class of 2026 rankings risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2026 boys rankings have been updated, and there were some shifts. There were quite a few players who made jumps, and here are just a few of the notables who made a leap.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["196056"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db81845cd8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Defenders tend to lose track of Ghajar, and that is a bad idea. They lose him because he is constant motion, he floats into space looking to be dangerous, but then keeps moving in order to be available and dangerous. He also makes terrific runs, where he drifts backs and gets onside, then makes a well-timed run. He finishing is terrific as he can get on the end of a ball and one-time it, but he is incredibly dangerous when he creates for himself, makes space and gets a shot off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["223706"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db81845cdcc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Guedalia is a defender that does not let you off the hook. If you come into his area and he picks you up, don't expect him to drop back just because you reverse direction. He will harass you, hoping to turn you over and start transitioning. He is not reckless, though, as he will not drift too far and will recover quickly and help the defense regain shape. He pushes up well as he can possess, he can pass as he creative ability is very important for his team's attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["83140"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db81845ce07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Romo is a cool customer who loves the game of soccer. He plays with a passion and an energy that is palpable. Oh, and he's pretty talented, too. He's technical skills are off the chart as he is incredible with ball at his feet. He moves quickly on the ball, showing explosion. His ability to finish is just as good as he knows exactly what to do and where to place the ball. He finishes with pace and power, and with touch. His ability to carry and create attacking opportunities is perhaps his strongest characteristic as he can open up space with his ability to beat defenders and create havoc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172021"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db81845ce42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chamberlin is a special and unique talent at the No. 10 spot, because he has more size than most attacking midfielders you see. This makes him a threat in the box as well as being a guy who can drive the ball at defenders. When he does drive, he shows great pace and great decision making as he knows when to go for goal and when to play a ball. And he really plays a great ball, showing the ability to thread the needle. As a scorer he can score from distance, showing great pace from range. As alluded to above, he's also very dangerous scoring goals with his head.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["83141"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db81845ce7e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Minor-Kaplan is a special player because he can feature all over the back third of the pitch. He can be a big, strong and physical center back, or play outside back and show off his athleticism. He also shows his ability to do both when he plays as a No. 6. He's got the gift of vision as he can place a ball perfectly when he plays it on the ground or sends it in the air as someone can run onto it or it lands on their feet. He has technical ability as he is comfortable possessing, and he can be a lockdown defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["47905"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db81845ceba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">May is also a big riser, and he was just featured <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/09/california-2026s-making-a-rankings-push/">here</a>. A keeper who does not shy away from a challenge, he can make all the stops, showing great range and athleticism. He has a great understanding of the game, has good footwork and is brave when it's time to come out for a ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["165346"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db81845cef4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mark is one of those midfielders that can be frustrating to deal with because of how good he is on the ball, how poised he is and how he can facilitate. Mark operates so well in tight areas that he is hard to stay with and dispossess. He changes direction very well, and he always sees the game developing in front of him and will play a ball you do not expect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["168063"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66db81845cf2e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hansen has an advanced understanding of space, in terms of how to use it, where to be and where to play the ball. He can play wide, or tuck into the midfield and wherever he plays, he is a dangerous player. He likes to push forward, showing great carrying ability and shows excellent pace. He likes to take defenders on as he usually wins in 1v1 situations. If he draws a crowd, he knows how to play a clever ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->