UCLA men’s soccer commit named Gatorade Player of the Year
Incoming freshman defender Marcus Jackson flips a soccer ball in the air while jumping behind the Gatorade Player of the Year trophy. Jackson was the No. 58 recruit in the 2026 class, per Prep Soccer. (Courtesy of Joe Greer/Gatorade)
By Sinclair Richman
June 17, 2026 2:42 p.m.
A team’s success begins in the backline.
And the Bruins’ new addition could be a key piece of this.
Incoming UCLA men’s soccer commit defender Marcus Jackson was named the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year on Wednesday, the highest individual honor of the sport at the high school level. The recognition was accompanied by a video call from former United States men’s national team goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The West Orange, New Jersey, local separated himself from the pack with his offensive domination and consistency in shutting down opponents. Jackson concluded his senior campaign with 18 goals and five assists while anchoring a backline that recorded 10 shutouts through the season.
“It feels really crazy,” Jackson said on the call with Howard. “(It’s) not really what I expected for this year. I’m speechless … this is a humongous award, literally humungous, so I’m really grateful for what I have and what happened this year as well.”
Jackson captained West Orange High to a 24-2 record in a season that ended with a 5-0 victory in the NJSIAA Group 4 tournament championship. In addition to his experience at the high school and club levels, Jackson has competed in the Olympic Development Program since 2018, including for the ODP National Team in 2024.
The 6-foot-4 center back is the No. 58 recruit in the class of 2026, per Prep Soccer, and signed with the Bruins in November 2025. He was awarded National High School Soccer Player of the Year by United Soccer Coaches and was on the United Soccer Coaches High School All-America Team.
UCLA is coming off its first Big Ten tournament championship after completing two upsets as the lowest seed of four squads. Shutouts in the last three games from the Bruins, including the first-round penalty kick loss in the NCAA tournament, rounded out the 8-6-5 season.
The Bruins posted eight shutouts through the season and allowed three-plus goals in just two games. With the addition of Jackson, UCLA will gain reinforcements to go back-to-back as Big Ten tournament champions.
