Five Defenders to Know from the Updated Texas 2027 Boys Rankings

After some months, the Prep Soccer 2027 Texas Boys State Ranking was updated earlier this 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.   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.   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li><a href="https://prepsoccer.com/texas/rankings/boys/2027-rankings/">Texas 2027 Boys State Rankings</a></li> </ul>   The updated Texas 2027 Boys State Rankings now feature 92 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.   Today, we look into the defenders:    Barrett is the top-ranked player in the 2027 Texas State Rankings. He plays for the [program_tooltip program_id='283657' first='Houston' last='Dynamo'] academy, featuring almost exclusively for their Dos team in the MLS Next Pro League side. A constant face in USYNT selections, he can play as a center back or as a right back and thrives on his remarkable athleticism and impressive defensive instincts. Barrett is a very determined and intelligent defender, who's very difficult to beat in 1v1 situations because of how quickly he can react and how well he uses his physical tools to dominate opponents. He also performs well on the ball, displaying a nice passing range from central defense and an interesting ability to drive it forward when used as an outside back.      Wright appears in third place among the defenders and is tenth overall in the Rankings. He plays for [program_tooltip program_id='283612' first='Austin' last='FC'] in the MLS Next League, and this season joined their U19 team. A right back, he's elite when it comes to athleticism, having enough physicality to overpower opponents and the endurance needed to run the field up and down for hours. He uses his tools well defensively and can be very difficult to beat out wide, typically getting to control his zone with solid play. Wright also contributes at a solid level offensively, using his strong first step and his ability to shield the ball to make plays out wide and get to the end line. He also tends to come inside when he sees an opening and has what it takes to deliver accurate passes in the final third.      Olu was picked as the sixth-best defender in Texas and the 27th-best player overall. He's part of [program_tooltip program_id='283648' first='FC' last='Dallas'] Academy, starting for their U17 team in the MLS Next League. Extremely versatile and well-rounded, he's capable of playing as a center back, a left back, and even as a defensive midfielder and delivering exactly what the position needs to help his team. Olu makes the most of his impressive athletic tools to defend at an elite level, being very tough to beat in physical duels and using his ability to cover ground to dominate his zone and make recovery plays. A lefty, he substantially improved his game on the ball over the last few months, being able to keep possession under pressure and to connect excellent passes out of the back, playing an active role in the team's buildup.    <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=P8IbTckziOY </div></figure>    Otalvaro made it into the top ten among the defenders, appearing in ninth place, and ranks 44th overall in Texas in the Class of 2027. He's a member of the Bridgeland High School varsity team and plays for [program_tooltip program_id='283243' first='Albion' last='Hurricanes FC'] in the U19 Division of the ECNL League. Originally a left back, Otalvaro has a solid combination of physical and technical skills, and can also play in midfield. His game is not necessarily the flashiest, but it's very clean and efficient and makes a big impact on his team's performance. Otalvaro is a very good defender, who is very firm in his actions and wins duels at a very high rate, demanding a lot from opponents to beat him. He has good quality on the ball, too, and supports the team's offense with intelligent passing and accurate crossing.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/08/2J4A0008.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-318671" /></figure>    Montemayor was listed as the tenth-best defender in Texas and the 45th-best prospect overall in the Class of 2027. He plays for Summer Creek at the high school level and represents [program_tooltip program_id='283654' first='Global' last='Football Innovation Academy'] (GFI) in the U17 Division of the MLS Next League. A center back with good size and superior reading of the game, he times his tackles extremely well and has a nose for anticipating when opponents could have a heavy first touch and go hard after them to win the ball. A lefty, Montemayor has great quality on the ball, and his passing is one of his main strengths, as he's very patient in possession and has the confidence to attempt line-breaking passes.    <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=lL1iviafSIE </div></figure>

After some months, the Prep Soccer 2027 Texas Boys State Ranking was updated earlier this 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.