Top Uncommitted Texas 2026 Outside Backs Scouts Should Know

The Prep Soccer state rankings for Texas' 2026 class were updated this week. Check out <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2024/09/updated-2026-texas-girl-rankings-2/">the rankings here</a>. Learn more about <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">our ranking process here</a>.   The outside back position was one of the spots on the field under the most scrutiny in this update. There were a number of players who either currently play outside back or who have been moved there in the past year that are making noise. Below is a scouting report on some of the standouts from scouting game film from the postseason events and preseason events.    Dukette was excellent during the playoffs for Solar SC 08 ECNL. She plays outside back for the Solar squad. She was deployed as the left back in the postseason and did well in the tough battle against Surf. She is a shutdown defender who can contribute to the attack as well. The standout for Solar looks like a potential freshman starter at the next level for a top Division I program.     Scruggs is a defender on the DKSC 08 ECNL team. She previously played for the Dallas Texans. Among the outside backs I scouted from this class, Scruggs was the most willing to get forward and get to the end line to hit in a cross. She is a high energy player who will close down space quickly and be physical in the duel. She is also a standout at the high school level for Walnut Grove.     Smith is a new addition to the rankings. She is a player on the Dallas Texans 06/07 ECNL team. She can play in the midfield or defense. I've seen her mainly play in the center of the midfield - mostly as a box-to-box midfielder. I think she has the traits to be an outstanding right back as well. She has an excellent knack for picking out the run of the attackers with her passing and playing in the pass behind the defense. Her right foot is a weapon. She is a strong on the ball defender and can shut down players with her terrific tackling. Smith has done well against the challenges of playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the ECNL, which should show scouts what she is capable of at the next level.     Walter is listed as a midfielder/forward on her player profile. I think she's a left back at the next level. She is a top performer for the Challenge 07 ECNL team. She was exceptional during the preseason events. Walter is a two-way player. I believe she is right-footed, but she looks confident on her left foot as well. She does well in reading the game and cutting off passing lanes. The versatility and potential from the Challenge star should put her on the radar for Division I programs looking for a playmaker that should earn playing time early on in her career.     Johnson is an outstanding athlete. A dual-sport star, Johnson also has a considerable amount of accolades from her time playing softball. Johnson is listed as a defender/forward on her player profile. Most scouts will see her as a left back when projecting her as a contributor to the college level. She is terrific in that role. Dynamic on the ball and quick to spring the attack, Johnson is a key catalyst for her side. She is excels at using her body in the tackle to keep the attacker off the ball and winning possession cleanly for her side. Johnson's shown the quality to earn a spot on the radar for any program looking for an outside back from the 2026 class.     Condon is a right back on the Sting Austin 08 ECNL team. She has previously been part of the US Youth Soccer Talent ID events. She is also a multiple All-District honoree at the high school level. She is capable of playing a number of positions, but I believe that outside back is the position where she has the highest ceiling. I thought her performance in the playoffs was a bright spot for her side. She is a shutdown 1v1 defender. I think her quality on the ball is the main attribute for her game. She makes good decisions on the ball and helps her side retain possession. She rarely forces a pass. She can jump into the attack and has the energy and endurance to make the full field runs throughout the game. Condon offers high upside for the position and already shows she can take on the top attackers from Texas in this class.     Kristiansen is an outside back on the Challenge 08 ECNL team. She played right back during the ECNL postseason event in Washington. Defensively, she was strong in the tackle and did well in her positioning. On the ball, she was always working to be option and outlet for her teammates. She can get forward, but she prefers to hit in an early cross. Improving on her 1v1 ability on the ball will be key to unlocking her potential. Kristiansen is a consistent contributor for her side and a rocksteady presence at outside back.     Rees is a defender on the Sting Dallas Royal 08 team. She made the All-Regional Team for her play last season. She is an outside back, usually on the right side. Rees earned a promotion to the ECNL team for this season. I'm excited to see how she does at that level as she has shown remarkable improvement over the past 12 months. Her 1v1 defending continues to get better. She is one of the best players in executing a slide tackle in the open field - especially a pop-n-slide to keep possession of the ball and start the counter. She hits a good delivery early from the wing and will provide a few assists this season with the accuracy of those passes.     Klenke is an outside back on the AHFC 07 ECNL team. She was a member of the ECNL All-Regional League team. She is the younger sister of Notre Dame and US U20 Women's National Team star Leah Klenke. Keeley earned the promotion to the ECNL team during the playoffs so scouts should have got a look at her against top talent back in June. She showed she can hang and even star at that level. She is capable of playing right or left back. She is adept with either foot and has a nice fake that gets her past the first defender most of the time utilizing the fact that she can strike a ball cleanly with either foot. Klenke is probably going to continue to climb the rankings as she takes on a bigger role with her team at the 07 age group this season.

The Prep Soccer state rankings for Texas' 2026 class were updated this week. Check out the rankings here. Learn more about our ranking process here.