Five Defenders to Know from the Updated Texas 2026 Boys Rankings

<p>After some months, the Prep Soccer 2026 Texas Boys State Rankings were updated last week, with new players being added to the prestigious list that features only the best of the best in the Lone Star State and the existing ones having their positions adjusted.</p>   <p>The ranking will continue to be consistently updated so it accurately reflects the progress achieved by players over time and presents a clear picture of the Texas landscape, always having in mind each prospect's potential to make an impact at teh next level.</p>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><strong><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/texas/rankings/boys/2026-rankings/">Texas 2026 Boys State Rankings</a></strong></li> </ul>   <p>The updated Texas 2026 Boys State Rankings now feature 115 players from every corner of the Lone Star State, and we're taking the week to present you with some of the most intriguing names that made the list.</p>   <p>Today, we'll look into some of the most talented defenders who made the list:</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Moreno stands out as the sixth-best defender in our Rankings and appears in 24th place overall. He plays for [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC']'s U19 team in the MLS Next league and also contributes to their II team in the MLS Next Pro league. Nicknamed 'Chuy', Moreno can be used on both outside back spots, while also filling in on central defense if needed. He's a standout defensive player who uses his physical tools very well and thrives in 1v1 duels, efficiently using sliding tackles to shut opponents down in wider areas of the field and remaining calm and patient before blocking shots inside and around the penalty box. The outside back also does good work with the ball, efficiently using both feet to pass and dribble, and showing great vision to connect direct passes and find teammates in the attacking half.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aUy2NLpkAk </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Lynch is the eighth-best defender in our Rankings and appears inside the top-40 overall, in 37th place. He has helped his high school team Episcopal win state titles in his three years there and starts at left back for GFI U19 in the MLS Next league. A solid all-around player with a high soccer IQ, he contributes to his teams in many different ways. Lynch is very solid defensively, playing with good determination off the ball and dominating his zone of the ball. He also adds a lot in possession, being capable of helping his team create plays through the middle with his passing vision or using his pace and ability to dribble the ball to make plays out wide and cross the ball into the box.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oA3GW_Q7cM </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Easterly took ninth place among the defenders, ranking 38th overall in the Rankings. He's a center back with [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] U19 in the MLS Next League and has started to be incorporated into North Texas SC in the MLS Next Pro league. He is a physical player who makes the most of his athleticism to keep opponents under pressure and defends very well both inside the penalty box and in space, always making firm actions to win the ball. Easterly played as a right back and even as a forward in the past, and has quality and confidence on the ball to contribute offensively too.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/04/2J4A0295.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-286197" /></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Puna is listed as the ninth-best defender on the list and comes out as the 39th-best player in Texas in his age group. An Angola Youth international, he's part of the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] Academy, featuring for their U19 team in the MLS Next League and also playing for [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] Dos in the MLS Next Pro, where he already registered 15 appearances and seven starts in 2015. Puna joined the Dynamo last year and has had an impressive rise since, establishing himself as one of the best center backs on the club. His defining trait is probably his impressive athleticism, which gives him the physicality to deal with big strikers and the mobility to defend in space. Puna is also strong in the air and often scores off of headers.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tZWgjCK7kU </div></figure>    <p class="text-gray-700">Moran is the 22nd-best defender in the state and ranks 76th overall. A center back, he plays high school soccer with Boerne out of San Antonio and is a standout at the club level with [program_tooltip program_id='321473' first='AC' last='River'] in the MLS Next league, appearing for their U19 team. A center back, Moran has a good mix of technical and physical skills and is typically very consistent and reliable with his actions. He's very strong at making clearances inside the penalty box, but also holds his own when dragged away from it, keeping opponents under pressure and timing his tackles very well. Because of his vision and passing range, he can also be used in midfield.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eszrnrOPkik </div></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"></h2>

After some months, the Prep Soccer 2026 Texas Boys State Rankings were updated last week, with new players being added to the prestigious list that features only the best of the best in the Lone Star State and the existing ones having their positions adjusted.