<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Congratulations to all who have made their commitments. Now it's time for a scout grade. Some will be happy, others might be pissed off and eager to prove me wrong.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>I have to give a big shout out to @ImYouthSoccer Instagram page for keeping up with these names flying off the board. Incredible work.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It is all happening so fast this year. 2026 & 2027's are making their verbal commitments to different schools. I'd like to remind everyone that verbal commitments are not official until a letter of intent is signed. Players & Programs flip their verbal commitments all the time throughout this process.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It's a very interesting time in American Youth Women's Soccer, as players seem to be more eager to commit to schools than in past years.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It's a fascinating system where kids can commit their futures to a program a whole 2 years before they step on campus. I will be giving out grades to recent commitments. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Please keep in mind if you are reading this and you didn't get the grade you wanted. If you have committed to play at a Division 1, 2 or 3 soccer program you are a great soccer player. Only 7% of high schoolers do what you have the opportunity to do. These grades are based on overall fit, style of play/positional need of that particular program, how the program is performing and if I believe the commitment will last 4-5 years.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>I also encourage players to make their highlight reels easy to access for scouts to evaluate on their social media platforms. If you have committed and have not received a grade and want one please reach out via email <a href="mailto:nikolai@evolvesportsgroup.com">nikolai@evolvesportsgroup.com</a></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["110962"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690d331f07cf2"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Top 10 talent out of Pennsylvania in the 2027 class is headed to Lafayette College to continue her athletic and academic career. She has extremely precise touch and excellent vision. She has unquestionable club pedigree in Penn Fusion and headed to a solid program who finished their season at .500. Seems like an excellent fit. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Scout Grade: B </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":"Jane Higton","_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":"5'7u0022","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='287835' first='Clovis' last='Crossfire'] ","_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-690d331f07e3d"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Higton has committed her future to California Baptist University in 2027. The [program_tooltip program_id='287835' first='Clovis' last='Crossfire'] defensive midfielder is headed to a program that has the opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Tournament with a win in the WAC Tournament Championship game against Utah Valley this Saturday. Good fit. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Scout Grade: B</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["151926"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690d331f07ed8"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Top 50 talent out of Georgia is headed west to Air Force to continue her career. The Concorde Fire midfielder is a powerful ball striker with both feet, excellent facilitator and good in the air. Would like her to improve her first step and overall quickness before arriving on campus. The Falcons have just concluded their season at 8-7-4. This is a fantastic pick up for them and I think she can make a big impact. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Scout Grade: B+ </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":"Kellis Santana-Goulbourne","_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":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"102","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Duluth High ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"UFA","_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-690d331f07fba"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Headed to the ACC and NC State in 2027. The UFA product and Duluth High School standout is a very athletic midfielder who is fearless defensively putting her body on the line for her team. Very good technique and simple with her passing she has the game to be quite successful in the most competitive league in college soccer. Excellent fit. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Scout Grade: A- </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["112767"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690d331f0804d"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">King has decided to stay in state and attend Stephen F Austin University to continue her academic and athletic career. King is a big time player and a [program_tooltip program_id='283296' first='Classics' last='Elite'] product. She is a big time athlete also excelling in the 100m hurdles at Clark High School. She glides with the ball on the dribble and is an excellent destroyer of opposition play defensively. The Jacks although only having 7 wins this season are still alive in making the NCAA Tournament with a Southland Conference Semi-Final against Lamar on Saturday. King is going to have an impact day 1 on this program.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Scout Grade: A</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["286150"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690d331f080c8"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Staying in state to attend The University of Massachusetts in 2027. Long is a top 35 Massachusetts talent who is an FC Stars product. The Minutewomen concluded their season at 5-8-4. Couldn't find a reel for Leng so difficult to gauge true talent level but has excellent pedigree. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Scout Grade: B- </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["163973"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-690d331f08151"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">Smith will be attending Samford University in 2027 to continue her career. She is an ECNL Texas Conference 2nd team selection and Forney High School standout. Excellent club pedigree in Sting Black and headed to a program that has the opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Tournament with a win against Mercer on Saturday in the SOCON Conference Championship. Good fit. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Scout Grade: B </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":"Jordyn Ruiz","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'] ","_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-690d331f08231"} -->
<!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} -->
<p class="text-gray-700">On her way to New Mexico State next year. Ruiz is a [program_tooltip program_id='283295' first='City' last='SC'] product that is a DPL All-Star selection. She is an excellent set-piece taker whether she's shooting or crossing. The Aggies did not have a great season this year but add someone who can help them turn things around next season. I think Ruiz is a strong candidate to transfer up after a few successful seasons in the Conference USA. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Scout Grade: C+ </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Congratulations to all who have made their commitments. Now it's time for a scout grade. Some will be happy, others might be pissed off and eager to prove me wrong.
HEIGHT
5'7"
POS
F/M
CLASS
2027
State:
Pennsylvania
Club:
Penn Fusion SA ECNL G09
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
HEIGHT
5'7"
POS
D
CLASS
2027
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
HEIGHT
5'6"
POS
M/D
CLASS
2027
State:
Georgia
Club:
Concorde Fire Platinum 08 ECNL
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Kellis Santana-Goulbourne
HEIGHT
5'5"
POS
M
CLASS
2027
Kellis Santana-Goulbourne
School:
Duluth High
Club:
UFA
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
State:
Texas
Club:
Classics Elite ECNL G08
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
HEIGHT
5'5"
POS
M
CLASS
2027
State:
Texas
Club:
Sting Dallas Black 09 ECNL
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
HEIGHT
5'6"
POS
D
CLASS
2026
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in