In-depth look at the top five freshman in North Carolina

The Prep Soccer 2028 state rankings for North Carolina were released last week. Check <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/north-carolina/rankings/boys/2028-rankings/">out the rankings here</a>. Learn <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">more about the ranking process here</a>.   Below is a scouting report on the top five players from the 2028 rankings.     Alexander-Munoz is on the U.S. Youth National Team for the 2010 age group. The Charlotte FC Academy standout is likely on the professional pathway. He's a defender - right back or right center back. He's emerged as a key player with the U16 team this season - playing up an age group. There's a lot to like about his game. Most of the focus on the scouting report is on his passing, because it is so much better than his peers. He is as good on the ball as many center midfielders from the youth national team level. He's got the quality to hit any pass and the vision to execute them. He's been outstanding at both center back and right back at the MLS Next level. I believe he is viewed as more of a center back for the youth national team, but the positional flexibility is certainly exciting for the elite talent.     Left footed winger/forward. He is one of the top 2010s in the country. He previously played for South Florida FA MLS Next. He's earned some playing time on the [program_tooltip program_id='278142' first='Charlotte' last='FC MLS Next'] U16 team this year - playing up a year. He's got elite attacking qualities. The close control of the ball, the quick burst with his first step, the timing of his runs, Francois has shown a variety of skills to suggest he deserves to be in the Youth National Team pool.     Hodzic is one of the highest ranked defenders in this class. A tall center back with a wide range of skills, Hodzic has been a key piece for the Queen City Mutiny U15 MLS Next team. He wears the captain's armband for his club team, typically lining up as the right center back. He's a good athlete, quick on his feet, and does well in the slide tackle. He's excellent on the pass and hits an accurate ball over distance with his right foot. He plays with his head up and quickly scans through his options. Hodzic has big time potential and continues to be one of the best in North Carolina.     Castellano-Staib is a right-footed box-to-box midfielder on the Wake FC U15 MLS Next team. He stood out in the game against Charlotte FC with his quality on the ball and comfort in breaking pressure. He's a true two-way player with excellent defensive instincts. He's very good at baiting the opposition into passes that he can pick off. On the ball, he uses body feints well to create space. His close control of the ball allow him to dribble through traffic in the center of the field. He's been outstanding this season in MLS Next play.     Aparicio is a midfielder on the Charlotte FC U15 MLS Next team. He plays as an attacking midfielder for the club team. He stood out from the game film at the MLS Next level. Aparicio is right footed and hits a wonderful free kick. However, one might be confused on his dominant foot because he hits an exquisite pass with his left as well from the run of play. Aparicio possesses excellent ball control and the ability to dribble through tackles. He can be cavalier in the turn and leap blindly into a defender with his spins, but he seems to navigate away with it thanks to quick feet. The care in that aspect will need to improve at the next level for him to continue to be as impactful as a passer in the center of the field.

The Prep Soccer 2028 state rankings for North Carolina were released last week. Check out the rankings here. Learn more about the ranking process here.