Just Missed the Cut — Class of 2026 Recruiting Classes to Know

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Soccer recruiting rankings for the 2026 class was released last week. With so many verbal commitments already for this group, sifting the data can be challenging on top of weighing which programs offer the proper runway for this class to make an impact. After feedback and review of those rankings, we reflect on five programs that should have been considered in the top 30 and will be included in the updated rankings later this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1. <strong>Pittsburgh</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>🔢 <strong>Total Commits:</strong> 5</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>📊 <strong>Average Rank:</strong> 121</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>💡 <strong>Why they stand out:</strong><br>While Pitt doesn't have a Top 50 player in this cycle, the Panthers brought in five players ranked in the top 200 of the Prep Soccer National Rankings. It's a dynamite class with players who are versatile and highly competitive. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2. <strong>Butler</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>🔢 <strong>Total Commits:</strong> 3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>📊 <strong>Average Rank:</strong> 273</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>💡 <strong>Why they stand out:</strong><br>Butler's class feels like the perfect balance between immediate contribution and high upside players. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">3. <strong>Kentucky</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>🔢 <strong>Total Commits:</strong> 6</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>📊 <strong>Average Rank:</strong> 206</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>💡 <strong>Why they stand out:</strong><br>The biggest miss from the top 30, and probably an argument to be made this is a top 15 class. [player_tooltip player_id='26638' first='Danielle' last='Chaump'] and Mckenzie Godfrey offer elite upside and could rival any other class in terms of a one-two punch. The question might be about the roster size. This is a large recruiting class - and the 2025 team is not that old so is there room for this whole group?</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">4. <strong>Santa Clara</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>🔢 <strong>Total Commits:</strong> 2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>📊 <strong>Average Rank:</strong> 67</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>💡 <strong>Why they stand out:</strong><br>Two stars are bound to be Broncos in 2026, and the small but mighty class probably should deserve a higher ranking considering the potential and high ranking of the two players. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">5. <strong>NC State (North Carolina State)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>🔢 <strong>Total Commits:</strong> 4</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>📊 <strong>Average Rank:</strong> 186.7</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>💡 <strong>Why they stand out:</strong><br>NC State added four smart, athletic pieces from the Prep Soccer Girls 2026 rankings. This is a group (especially the midfielders) that could outperform its rankings.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->