Class of 2027 Boys’ Piedmont Region Standout GKs and Defenders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In previous articles listing the best players in the class of 2027 in both the <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/01/best-of-boys-class-of-2027-northern-piedmont/">northern</a> and <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/01/best-of-boys-class-of-2027-southern-piedmont/">southern</a> Piedmont, I highlighted 4 players as standouts in each. One player per position was highlighted, but not specifically evaluated. This article serves to give the goalkeepers and defenders their deserved spotlight. As hinted at before, this article is focused on the region as a whole. A <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/2026/02/class-of-2027-boys-piedmont-standout-midfielders-and-attackers/">following article</a> will cover the midfield and attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goalkeepers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Elijah Lasher","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Sanderson High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283516' first='Wake' last='FC']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a0ce845da5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Representing the north Piedmont region, Elijah was chosen because of how intelligent he is. A goalkeeper with great personality, he never shys away from keeping his area safe. His style at times is reminiscent of a sweeper keeper, though I wouldn't say that's his main duty. He is a goalkeeper that will do whatever it takes to keep opposing attacks at bay. Whether it be rushing off his line, snatching the ball from attackers' feet, or claiming dangerous crosses, his main focus will always be safety first. With the ball at his feet, he's more than solid too. He helps his team build out from the back, almost controlling the tempo at which build up starts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Grayson Bath","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"100","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Providence High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a0ce845daf7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grayson is a tall, imposing goalkeeper who represents the southern Piedmont region. His physique alone is already very intimidating for the opposition, something especially noticeable in penalties. This sort of intimidation is compounded when they're faced with his aggressive nature. Describing him rushing off the line as just simply that sells him short. It can almost be described as him putting his well-being at risk to keep the ball out of the net. Seeing him go to ground to snatch the ball reminds me of strong, aggressive, and highly effective center-backs. His diving is also superb. With his fantastic wingspan, he makes unreal-looking saves easily.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Giorgio Sayde","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Green Level High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283516' first='Wake' last='FC']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a0ce845db77"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Giorgio, representing the northern Piedmont region, is a great, well-rounded full-back. He shines brightest as a right-back, where he offers the team everything they can possibly ask of him. In build-up, he relieves a lot of pressure with body feints. These allow him to either find a cleaner pass or marvel with his dribbling. This also translates nicely in the final third, where he is able to circulate the ball and open up spaces. Defensively, he's just as effective. He locks down his flank whenever the opposition tries to attack through him. His anticipations and interceptions are great, not allowing for balls to be played behind his back. In one-on-one scenarios, he knows exactly how to get the better of the winger. First mentally, then with a great, correctly timed tackle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Bear Brensinger","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"101","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Charlotte Catholic High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283284' first='Charlotte' last='SA']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a0ce845dc07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bear is a great level-headed center back characterized by his calmness. He was the standout defender for the southern Piedmont region, to me, because he makes defending seem so simple. His overall game awareness is phenomenal, but it's important to highlight his defensive awareness. There is no moment where he looks like he's lost sight not just of the ball, but of the potential play brewing. He positions himself so correctly that once the ball arrives near him, the opposition's attack is already dead. Tackling isn't something he needs to use too often because of this. However, when he does need to do it, it's elegant. He makes it seem like there's no need to use excessive strength to win the ball back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->