The 2024 faculty soccer season is flying by and we’re by some means just some weeks away from the midway mark, which suggests I am laborious at work in curating what a midseason rating of the highest 151 gamers appears like.
Within the preseason version, Travis Hunter was No. 1. Protected to say that was a very good determination and will not change. However a number of the gamers, particularly in direction of the underside of the record, appear like dangerous calls. A number of gamers have had disappointing seasons bordering on disastrous (and a few certainly have had disastrous seasons). A midseason rating may also embody true freshmen for the primary time — so put together for the slotting of studs like Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams.
Here is a six-pack to whet the urge for food: With the good thing about hindsight, three gamers who I want had been on the preseason record — and three gamers I want I had left off.
They’ve performed their manner into Prime 151 consideration
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
Warren is a jack of all trades for Penn State, even taking part in wildcat quarterback and throwing landing passes. He’s a tricky, reliable receiver who fights for additional yardage and is a succesful blocker. He’s a throwback participant who will likely be an excellent slot in any offense on the subsequent stage.
Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina
The previous Yellow Jacket is excelling for the Gamecocks, with 5.5 sacks, 17 complete pressures, and eight.5 TFLs on a protection that’s dominating early. Kennard has a pleasant toolbox of strikes, together with an excellent get-off, pace to energy, and a fast inside transfer. He had a formidable recreation in opposition to future first-rounder Will Campbell of LSU just a few weeks in the past. Kennard has considerably elevated his draft worth this 12 months.
Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
I used to be not sure what to anticipate from Brailsford after he opted out of spring soccer, however he appears incredible early on for the Crimson Tide. Brailsford is a bit undersized however reveals elite quickness, approach, and the power to tug and add gaps within the operating recreation. He has a shiny future and can face a tricky determination about whether or not to remain for one more season or depart early.
They need to not have been on the preseason Prime 151
DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Florida State (No. 149)
There’s not a lot left to say about how poorly Florida State and Uiagalelei have performed this season after having large expectations. He fooled me in Oregon State’s run-first offense that match him higher, however now he is finishing simply 54% of his passes with 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions on the 1-4 Seminoles. To be honest, his receivers have dropped 13 passes, however this was a horrible analysis by me and Mike Norvell.
Moose Muhammad III, WR, Texas A&M (No. 148)
I believed Muhammad had a Jimbo Fisher situation, nevertheless it turns on the market’s seemingly extra to it. He has simply 4 catches for 47 yards and one landing, in opposition to McNeese State. I am undecided what the deal is, particularly on an offense determined for playmakers, however I am out.
Donovan Edwards, RB, Michigan (No. 143)
There have been a number of crimson flags final 12 months with Edwards’ lack of manufacturing, however then he regarded like Walter Payton within the nationwide championship. I believed this was his 12 months to be the person, however Kalel Mullings has taken over as RB1 and appears just like the bell cow on a Michigan offense that have to be mind-boggling to their followers. They did not improve their offense by including an elite quarterback via the portal after the spring, and now their passing recreation is nearly nonexistent.
