The 2025 season is fast approaching and like every year, fans are eager to welcome a new wave of rookies to the league. This year’s class of prospective players is brimming with talent—playmakers, finishers, and defensive powerhouses ready to leave their mark on the NWSL in its first year without the annual college draft. Here are the top senior and fifth year prospects to watch as clubs sign the future stars of tomorrow.
(In alphabetical order)
Brooklyn Courtnall
College: USC
Position: Defender
Hometown: Westlake Village, CA
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Semifinalist, First Team All-Big Ten, First Team All-America
Brooklyn Courtnall was the backbone of USC’s defense in 2024, starting all 23 matches and leading all field players with 2,009 minutes played. As team captain, she steered the Trojans to 11 shutouts and a 0.80 goals-against average, routinely stifling opponents by holding 17 of 23 teams to under 10 shots. Named to the All-America and All-Big Ten first teams, Courtnall also proved she can deliver in key moments, netting her first career goal in the NCAA Tournament opener. Her composure, leadership, and tactical awareness make her an ideal prospect for any NWSL team looking to strengthen its backline with a reliable and commanding center back.
Kailyn Dudukovich
College: Ohio State
Hometown: West Chester, OH
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Semifinalist, First Team All-Big Ten, First Team All-America
The Ohio State Buckeyes had a strong 2024 season and much of it they have Kailyn Dudukovich to thank for. A MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, the second Buckeye in history to earn the honor, Dudukovich also became just the second player in program history to be named a first-team United Soccer Coaches All-American. The West Chester, Ohio native scored 19 goals in 2024, finishing one shy of Ohio State’s single-season record. She also became the program’s all-time leader in goals (44) and points (98). A consistent scoring threat, Dudukovich scored in nine of the Buckeyes’ final 13 matches, ending her collegiate career strong. Her 39 points this season rank as the second-most in program history. She also earned unanimous first-team All-Big Ten and All-North Region honors. With her clinical finishing, composure, and ability to perform in high-stakes moments, Dudukovich is a prime NWSL prospect who can immediately strengthen any team’s attack.
Leah Freeman
College: Duke
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Berkeley, CA
2024 Honors: ACC Goalkeeper of the Year, First Team All-ACC, First Team All-America
This year, Leah Freeman made history as the first goalkeeper to win conference honors in two different leagues in her collegiate career, earning Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year in 2022 with Oregon and ACC Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024 with Duke—and it’s easy to see why. After transferring to Duke, Freeman became a cornerstone in goal, recording 12 shutouts, including four during the NCAA Tournament. Standing at 5’10’’, she’s an agile shot-stopper with a commanding presence, finishing the season with a 0.78 goals-against average and 52 saves. One of the strongest collegiate goalkeepers in the nation and with experience at the youth national team level, Freeman is an ideal pick for any NWSL team looking for the next generation’s answer to Alyssa Naeher and Jane Campbell.
Maggie Graham
College: Duke
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Finalist, ACC Midfielder of the Year, First Team All-ACC, First Team All-America
Maggie Graham’s collegiate career may have come to an end, but Duke fans will remember it as nothing short of extraordinary. Her 2024 season was a standout, leading the Blue Devils to an ACC regular-season title and an NCAA College Cup semifinal appearance. Graham tallied a team-high 14 goals, five assists, and five game-winning strikes, with seven of those goals coming against ranked opponents—a clear testament to her clutch performances in high-pressure moments. As the ACC Midfielder of the Year and a MAC Hermann Trophy finalist (adding to an impressive collection of accolades), Graham demonstrated relentless work ethic, leadership, and offensive versatility. With 6,487 career minutes and over 100 appearances, she offers experience and consistency that any NWSL team would value. Her knack for excelling under pressure and her ability to impact both sides of the ball make her a dynamic and dependable prospect for the professional stage.
Macey Hodge
College: Mississippi St.
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Douglasville, GA
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Semifinalist, SEC Midfielder of the Year, First Team All-SEC, First Team All-America
NWSL fans of Hal Hershfelt, meet your next favorite player: Macey Hodge. With her partial tattoo sleeve, bold dyed hair, and undeniable presence whenever the ball is in play, Hodge has been the backbone of Mississippi State’s midfield, cementing herself as one of the top collegiate players in the nation. With 73 appearances and 72 starts, the Douglasville, Georgia native has logged an impressive 6,470 career minutes. Known for her ability to control the midfield, Hodge played the full 90 minutes in 17 matches during the 2023 season. A relentless competitor with elite work rate, endurance, and leadership, Hodge is a dream prospect—a midfielder who can anchor the center of the pitch, deliver under pressure, and bring a dominant mentality to the squad.
Taylor Huff
College: Florida St.
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Lucas, OH
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Semifinalist, First Team All-SEC, First Team All-America
Taylor Huff capped off an extraordinary collegiate career with a dominant senior season at Florida State, earning All-ACC First Team honors, ACC Tournament MVP, and a spot as a Hermann Trophy semifinalist. Huff led the Seminoles with 12 goals and 10 assists, amassing 34 points as a midfielder while becoming the fastest FSU player in a decade to reach 20 points in a season. Known for her quick footwork, vision, and ability to set the tempo, Huff excels as both a playmaker and a goal-scoring threat. With over 104 career points and all-conference honors in all four collegiate seasons, she is one of the most well-rounded midfielders coming out of college and for NWSL teams, the ideal prospect—a dynamic leader with the ability to facilitate in the build up, finish, and command the midfield under pressure.
Lexi Missimo
College: University of Texas
Position: Forward
Hometown: Southlake, TX
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Semifinalist, First Team All-SEC, First Team All-America
Lexi Missimo has long been a player to watch, and her collegiate career at Texas only solidified her status as a future pro prospect. The Longhorns’ all-time leader in both goals (53) and assists (59), the Texas native’s consistency and versatility is unmatched. This season, she added nine goals and 10 assists to her record-breaking totals, cementing her place as one of the NCAA’s most decorated players with 172 career points and leading the nation in assists and points per match among active players. Missimo’s blend of technical skill, vision, and leadership makes her an ideal addition to any NWSL team in search of a creative playmaker who can also deliver in front of goal. With an equally impressive youth national team resume, she’s as close to a sure thing as it gets for the next level.
Lilly Reale
College: UCLA
Position: Defender
Hometown: Hingham, MA
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Semifinalist, ACC Defender of the Year, First Team All-ACC, First Team All-America
On her UCLA player profile, Lilly Reale lists Julie Ertz as one of her favorite athletes—a fitting choice, as Reale mirrors many of the same qualities: fearless, physical, and capable of contributing on both ends of the field. Reale has been a cornerstone of UCLA’s success from the moment she stepped on campus, earning three conference Defensive Player of the Year awards, three All-America honors, and a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist nod. Across 83 career starts, she led the Bruins to 51 shutouts, a 2022 NCAA title, and multiple conference championships. This season, Reale anchored a defense that tallied a nation-leading 16 shutouts and just 10 goals allowed while delivering key offensive moments, including a coast-to-coast game-winning goal. Named the No. 1 player in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer, Reale’s composure, leadership, and ability to elevate play on both sides of the ball make her a top-tier prospect for any NWSL team seeking to solidify its backline—and add the rare, game-changing presence that comes along only once in a generation.
Helena Sampaio
College: USC
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Porto Alegre, Brazil
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Semifinalist, Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, First Team All-Big Ten, First Team All-America
Big Ten Midfielder of the Year, First-Team All-American, and MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist—Helena Sampaio’s accolades speak for themselves. The Brazil native made her mark at USC this season, tallying five goals and a team-high seven assists, including four game-winners. Among her highlights was a breathtaking last-minute free kick against Penn State, showcasing her ability to deliver in clutch moments and put the ball where it needs to go. Sampaio also played a pivotal role in three of USC’s four NCAA Tournament games, helping the Trojans reach the quarterfinals. With 78 career appearances, 12 goals, and 18 assists, Sampaio embodies the creativity, technical brilliance, and poise synonymous with Brazil’s best. She’s a prime prospect for any NWSL team looking for a midfielder who can dictate the game and bring shades of the next Debinha or Marta to the league.
Ava Tankersley
College: Arkansas
Position: Forward
Hometown: St. Peter’s, MO
2024 Honors: MAC Hermann Semifinalist, SEC Forward of the Year, First Team All-SEC, First Team All-America
Ava Tankersley has dominated the SEC, earning back-to-back SEC Forward of the Year honors and becoming Arkansas’ second-ever United Soccer Coaches First-Team All-American. This season, she propelled the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 with 12 goals and nine assists, leading the conference in points, goals, and points per game. Over her career, Tankersley has amassed 111 points, ranking second in program history, alongside 38 goals and 32 assists. A complete forward with the ability to both finish and create, Tankersley notched four multi-goal games this season and delivered in critical moments, helping Arkansas tie its program record for goals in a single season (71). As a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, her dynamic skill set, consistency, and versatility make her a perfect fit for any NWSL team looking for a forward who can adapt, learn from veteran teammates, and thrive at the next level.
Honorary Mentions
The pipeline of talent emerging from college soccer is stronger than ever and with the NWSL set to expand to 16 teams in the coming years, the opportunities for these rising stars to leave their mark on the league are only growing. Among the players to watch as teams announce their rookie class of 2025 are Simone Jackson (USC), a dynamic forward and clinical playmaker in the mold of her former teammate Croix Bethune; Andrea Kitihata (Stanford), the Cardinal’s 2024 leader in goals and assists, whose fearless approach keeps goalkeepers on high alert; and Hannah Bebar (Duke), a three-time All-American whose creative vision powered Duke’s stunning 12-win turnaround this season.