Big Ten rules the PrepSoccer boys rankings
The PrepSoccer National Rankings for the Boys Class of 2023 were recently released. The initial rankings for this class include 100 players with more to be added in the future. Read more about the PrepSoccer Rankings Process. With the boys…
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Continue ReadingThe PrepSoccer National Rankings for the Boys Class of 2023 were recently released. The initial rankings for this class include 100 players with more to be added in the future. Read more about the PrepSoccer Rankings Process.
With the boys rankings, there are a number of players from this class not on this list because they have already signed professional contracts with clubs. There will be more players who will be taken off the list in the future when they make the decision on whether to sign the professional contract or further their education at a university.
With the ambiguity over future plans still in place, there are only three players in the top ten of the national rankings with verbal commitments – and all of them are to (soon-to-be) Big Ten programs.
UCLA has the verbal commitment of the top ranked recruit from California in LAFC Academy midfielder Bryan Moyado Bryan Moyado M #3 Nation CA . The teenager had a terrific season with LAFC and earned the attention of the U.S. Youth National Team coaches. He was part of the squad that went to Spain and defeated England 2-1 in June. For UCLA, he is a local kid who will be an immediate contributor in the center of the field. The Bruins also landed the verbal commitment of San Jose Earthquakes defender Drew Murray Drew Murray D CA , who is on the Watch List for this rankings update. With UCLA scheduled to join the Big Ten conference in 2024, the conference has a stranglehold on the verbal commitments from the players in the top ten rankings of this class.
Michigan recently landed the verbal commitment of the No. 8 player in the class, Santiago Castaneda Santiago Castaneda 6'2" | M Tampa Prep | 2023 State #8 Nation FL . The standout from Florida is an exciting prospect with big time potential. He has already trained and played against professionals from his time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. He is skilled on the ball and a gifted passer. He has the tools to be an immediate contributor for Michigan.
Right behind Castaneda in the rankings is the first verbal commit to Indiana in Josh Maher Josh Maher D #9 Nation IL from St. Louis City SC. Maher is the younger brother of Jack and Joey. He follows in the strong Indiana soccer pedigree and should be another center back for the Hoosiers to build around on the way to another run at a National Championship. Josh Maher Josh Maher D #9 Nation IL also has experience at the professional level while playing for St. Louis City SC 2 in the MLS Next Pro this season. Indiana has four recruits in the top 100 rankings, as the Hoosiers make a strong case for the top recruiting class in 2023. Logan Oliver, Alex Barger Alex Barger M Naperville North | 2023 State #46 Nation IL , and Lucas Wolthers Lucas Wolthers F #57 Nation TN are the other Indiana verbal commits in the rankings.
Furman is another program to consider as one of the top recruiting classes from 2023. Furman pulled in three players from Texas, all of whom are in the PrepSoccer Top Club Soccer Player Rankings for the Class of 2023. Left back Nolan Norris Nolan Norris M State #14 Nation TX is the top ranked player from the group. Norris checks in at No. 14 in the initial ranking for this class. He is an everyday starter at the next level. He is a two-way player in that he can shutdown attacking players and also get forward to join the attack. He is comfortable in possession of the ball and offers a good service into the box. He is part of the U.S. Youth National Team program. Aaron Salinas Aaron Salinas GK #68 Nation TX and Diego Hernandez Diego Hernandez M State #70 Nation TX are the other members of the Furman recruiting class in the top 100 of the rankings.
The ACC is well-represented among this class. Virginia, Wake Forest, Clemson, and North Carolina all have verbal commits from players in the top 30 in the rankings. Wake Forest has two verbal commits from that group with Robert Jeffrey White Jeffrey White 5'9" | M State #15 Nation FL and Malcolm Fry Malcolm Fry F Lawrence Academy (MA) | 2023 #28 Nation MA . Both Fry and White had standout performances at the MLS Next playoffs in the U19 age group. Virginia also has two players in the top 30 of the rankings with both being defenders, Diego Rossi (NYCFC) and Thomas Hastings (Sporting Delaware). North Carolina landed the commitment from Sam Williams, who looks like the top prospect from New Jersey in this class. He is one of four UNC verbal commits in the top 100: Tate Lorentz, Andrew Kitch Andrew Kitch F Shawnee (NJ) | 2023 State #39 Nation NJ , and Daniel Lugo Daniel Lugo 6'1" | F #36 Nation FL are the others.
Clemson also looks like it found two gems in this class. Clemson landed the verbal commit of Mathieu Brick Mathieu Brick D State #26 Nation GA , a standout defender from Georgia, as well as Mason Jimenez Mason Jimenez M #42 Nation CA (No. 42), a versatile player from California.
Check back later this summer for a full recruiting class rankings from the Class of 2023.