UNC nabs two of the best from NJ’s 2023 class

The New Jersey boys rankings for the class of 2023 were released last month. The Garden State's senior-to-be class includes some of the best talent in the country in this age group. One player is already signed to a professional contract, [player_tooltip player_id="13171" first="Serge" last="Ngoma"] (pictured), with New York Red Bulls so he is included in the watchlist. St. Benedict's star Malik Khan signed with Minnesota United 2 so he was removed from the New Jersey rankings and put in the Minnesota watch list. The PrepSoccer Player Rankings only include players who retain amateur status. The other point of clarification is that state used for player ranking is the club's location (i.e. players who play for New York Red Bulls are placed in the New Jersey rankings because their training facility is in New Jersey). With that clarification in mind, New York Red Bulls midfielder [player_tooltip player_id="33138" first="Sam" last="Williams"] is the No. 1 prospect in the state for the 2023 class in the PrepSoccer rankings. Williams is one of the best defensive midfielders in the country in this age group. He has already earned a role with the New York Red Bulls II team. Williams is a University of North Carolina commit. He has all of the tools that scouts look when recruiting an immediate contributor at the next level. His tactical instincts are better than most college players already. With 13 appearances in the USL Championship already this season, Williams is a player who is excelling playing with and against professionals. [player_tooltip player_id="13108" first="Nate" last="Zimmermann"], PDA, is the No. 2 player in the class. Zimmermann recently returned from injury that shortened his junior high school season. The attacking talent is a Notre Dame commit for the 2023 class. He is best utilized on the wing. He is a good finisher with either foot. He has a quick burst and can change directions in tight spaces. His quick feet make him a tough player to mark for outside backs and he has the vision to exploit the defense when the center back cheats to his side. He is a player to watch during the summer playoffs in MLS Next. [player_tooltip player_id="12839" first="Andrew" last="Kitch"] is another North Carolina commit in the New Jersey rankings. Kitch starred at the US Youth Soccer level last season while playing for Real Jersey FC. The forward and his club moved to MLS Next this season, and he has not slowed down in scoring. He is a physical center forward who is not afraid to run over defenders to score a goal. He should fit in perfectly with the North Carolina style of play as a target forward who can hold off defenders and link up with the wingers and attackers as well as a finisher who can get onto the end of crosses into the box. [player_tooltip player_id="12876" first="Casey" last="Shea"] (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N5HdeKge0I&">junior highlights</a>) is the No. 1 goalkeeper for New Jersey for the class of 2023. Shea is a 6-foot-2 right-footed goalkeeper plays for TSF Academy in MLS Next. He is an athletic shot-stopper who a good technical foundation. He is good at distributing with the ball in his hands as he can launch a counter-attack with a long throw. His distribution with his feet could improve in terms of how he drives the ball over distance with his striking technique. He is a player to watch during the summer showcases as a top goalkeeper from this class. [player_tooltip player_id="45611" first="Javon" last="Daniels"] is one of the more exciting prospects from the state. The winger is in the midst of a standout campaign in MLS Next. He scored three goals during the MLS Next Flex as Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth finished top of their group. Daniels is a verbal commit to Villanova for the class of 2023. Check out<a href="https://prepsoccer.com/new-jersey/rankings/boys/2023-rankings/"> the PrepSoccer Rankings for New Jersey for the Class of 2023</a>.