Star Power First: 2026's Five Most Impactful Recruits

<p>The Prep Soccer Recruiting Class rankings for the 2026 class were released this week. Check out the rankings here. View the full National <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/national/rankings/girls/2026-rankings/">player rankings for this class here</a>. Learn more <a href="https://prepsoccer.com/how-we-rank/">about the ranking process here</a>. </p>   <p>The value of a recruiting class can rely heavily on if one of the players turns potential into production. These are the classes that have the potential to have the most impact on the program. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">VIRGINA </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">On the current Virginia roster, there are only two goalkeepers listed for the 2025 season as part of the team. Things can change between now and the start of the season, but the lack of positional depth should open up a pretty clear runway for Dunlap. Incumbent starter Victoria Safradin is only a sophomore so she will likely still be there when Dunlap arrives, but the timeline for succession feels obvious - whether in 2027 or later. Virginia goalkeeper coach Sam Raper previously spent time with the U.S. Youth National Team so the best of the best in that position tend to go to Virginia. Dunlap is the best of the best. Our top ranked player in that position for the 2026 class, there is plenty of reason to believe she will be a key player for Virginia's success in the future. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">FLORIDA </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">There's an argument to be made that Florida should be a top five class. It's got the depth and star-power to be in that conversation. The Florida coaching staff has done a masterful job in building up the program and establishing a clear identity (in both playing style and players who fit). </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">The leap that this class needs to solidify that lofty ranking is for one of the three headliners ([player_tooltip player_id='48333' first='Rylee' last='McLanahan'], Grace Milam, or Nylah Norris) to make the jump into the echelon of undisputed blue-chip prospect. McLanahan is the most obvious candidate to reach that plateau. She's shown she can compete and shine against the best of the best at the club game. Her positional flexibility should help her get onto the field early, but it also could be a hinderance in figuring out where she can shine the best for the Gators. There is every reason to trust the Florida coaching staff to get the most out of this class, and it will probably vastly its current ranking. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">ARKANSAS </h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The 2025 Arkansas recruiting class is forward-heavy so there could be a logjam for playing time when Gwin arrives in 2026. However, this is a bet on talent and drive when selection Gwin as one of the most impactful recruits in this class. </p>   <p class="text-gray-700">The Southern California standout has been improving every single season and her play last summer during the ECNL playoffs showcased just how good she can be - even against the best defenders in the country. The recent international experience with the ODP National Team in Italy will help develop and improve her game even more. </p>   <p>Gwin's game-breaking quality should fit in well with Arkansas' style of play. It also helps the Arkansas coaching staff has coached some incredible forwards in the past, and should be able to get the most out of the Camarillo-native. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SMU</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">There's a lot to like about this SMU recruiting class. It's got talent from all over the country, which could be a key building block for future years as well. Head coach Nicole Nelson has been giving rookies plenty of playing time and I think recruits are taking notice. </p>   <p>Bunton is a player who is on the cusp of the Youth National Team. She was one of the alternates for the U.S. U17 Concacaf Qualifying Roster. She's a technically gifted midfielder with electrifying skill. She was a massive score the SMU recruiting class and could be the key to unlocking this program into a contender in the future. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">BROWN</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">The Ivy League has quite a few ballers on the way in the 2026 class. </p>   <p>Tansil is one of a handful that stood out to me. The winger has the potential to be the best player in the conference early on in her career. She's only starting to scratch the surface of her potential. Elite athleticism combined with sheer determination, Tansil is one of the best attacking talents in the country. </p>   <p>Brown landing the local star gives a big boost to their class and shows that the rest of the Ivy League is going to be trying to slow down the squad that Kia McNeill put together.</p>

The Prep Soccer Recruiting Class rankings for the 2026 class were released this week. Check out the rankings here. View the full National player rankings for this class here. Learn more about the ranking process here.