NorCal 2024 boys class ready to be recruited
Recruiting season for the class of 2024 begins tomorrow. In what will be a fast and furious recruiting cycle, there are several boys players from Northern California that will be receiving interest. Between now and signing day, expect to hear…
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Continue ReadingRecruiting season for the class of 2024 begins tomorrow. In what will be a fast and furious recruiting cycle, there are several boys players from Northern California that will be receiving interest. Between now and signing day, expect to hear a lot about the following names.
Pepukai Allard-Chigamba, Midfielder
Affectionately known as Pep, this dynamic midfielder plays for Berkeley High and for the California Magic club. He can play the No. 8 or 10. He is a very technical player. He is smaller, but is not afraid and is still a ball-winner. He helps keep possession and when you see him you know he’s a class player.
Marlow Buettner, Central Defender
Buettner is a Berkeley High standout and plays club with Spurs FC. He is big, at 6-1, and combines physicality with being a cerebral player. He’s a great defender, but can help build from the back. He is technical, poised and understands the system in which he plays.
Harlem Clemons, Forward
Clemons will find himself on the left side for Berkeley High. The quick, super technical forward plays club at Spurs FC and he is a high IQ player. He’s small, but brave, using his body very well. He’s very shifty and it’s hard to predict where he’s going to go.
Mikulas Deer, Keeper
Deer is going to be sought after by college coaches and should be committed somewhere on signing day. He is a strong and fearless keeper who is well-rounded and good at everything. He plays his club at Walnut Creek Surf and plays high school with Las Lomas.
Juan Diaz, Outside Defender
Diaz plays as an outside back, on the left side, and should be considered a wing back because of how dangerous he is getting forward. He has great speed and really moves up and down the pitch, overlapping with attackers to become a dangerous threat but also great at crossing into the box. He is technical with great skill and great energy. He plays for Diablo Valley Wolves, and should be playing for Ygnacio Valley High this winter.
Oliver Gil, Forward
Gil is a crafty No. 7 for Berkeley High and the Newark Football club. He’s very deceptive as defenses have a hard time figuring out what he’s going to do. He’s smaller, but rarely gets knocked off the ball. He’s very good at playing within the team guidelines, and knows when to go beyond those guidelines.
Jalen Harris, Striker
Harris is a prodigious striker for coach Andre Hebert at Berkeley High and is also a standout at Spurs FC. Harris is a very big, very fast player. Harris can bang in goals with the best of them and Herbert said he’s probably the fastest player he’s ever coached.
Nico Hernandez, Forward
Hernandez’s best position might be the No. 7 spot, but he can also play out wide on the left. Playing wide is his strong suit as he can also play the 2 or 3, and really moves up the sides when he’s playing in the back. He is a humble and coachable player. He is intelligent, with a high GPA, and soccer savvy. He plays high school at Alisal and club for El Camino FC.
Emilio Martinez, Defensive Midfielder
Martinez, just like Diaz, plays at Diablo Valley Wolves and should be returning to Ygnacio Valley High to play his junior season. He is a very strong defensive midfielder, with very good distribution. He offers a physical presence, and is pitbull-like in that he is a strong, disruptive force. When he has the ball at his feet, he is very calm.
Axel Saldanha, Keeper
Saldanha has been part of the US Youth Development Academy, and plays his club for Bay Oaks and his high school at Piedmont. He is very big, at 6-3, and is a commanding presence in the box. He is a very confident keeper, very good at stopping shots and is very good at distributing the ball.
Jose Vasquez, Striker
Vasquez is an absolute standout for Alisal High and for El Camino FC. He is a member of the US Youth National pool, and despite being just 5-6 is a player to fear on the pitch. He is a left-footed attacking player who can play all over the pitch, including at the attacking midfield position or out wide if need be. He is technical, intelligent, versatile and a good finisher. It helps that he can play with both feet. He is also a great teammate and helps those around him be better.
Richmond Watts, Holding Midfielder
Watts, who has been away from the University High team since COVID, should return as a member of the 2024 class unless he reclassifies for 2025 due to the pandemic. Watts, who also plays at Marin FC, started every game for his high school team as a freshman. He is a poised player, who is calm, a great leader and makes great decisions.
Maverick Wilson, Central Defender
Wilson has bloodlines as his older brother, Kirk Wilson, played at Las Lomas, where Maverick plays high school and also went on to play college soccer at Biola. Wilson is a very hard worker and it helps that he is big and strong. He is physical when playing the ball, he is a good tackler and very strong in the air. He’s unafraid to make a challenge, and he is an excellent leader. He plays club at Walnut Creek Surf.