The Deseret News is tracking Utah ties involved in the 2024 NWSL draft. Check back for updates.
Fourteen players with ties to Utah – including eight from BYU – have declared for Friday's National Women's Soccer League draft.
The players will attempt to secure a squad spot in one of the league's 14 teams and then continue their football careers in the country's top professional women's football league. Over 200 players have registered for the draft, but only 56 players will be drafted.
The Utah Royals hold the first overall pick and own nine total picks in the four rounds of the draft – more than any other team this year. The team could give any of the 14 players with ties to Utah a chance to continue their football careers in the Beehive State.
The draft will air on ION starting at 6:00 p.m. MST on Friday and will be available to stream on ION Plus.
Round 1
round 2
- Olivia Smith-Griffitts: Pick No. 20, Utah Royals, BYU.
- Olivia Wade Katoa: Pick No. 23, Portland Thorns, BYU.
- Kelsey Kaufusi: Pick No. 25, Portland Thorns, USU.
Round 3
- Jamie Shepherd: Pick No. 30, Bay FC, BYU.
Round 4
- Courtney Brown: Select No. 49, Washington Spirit, University of Utah.
- Laveni Vaka: Pick No. 55, Bay FC, BYU.
Undrafted players with ties to Utah in the 2024 NWSL Draft
BYU's following players have declared for the draft:
- Bella Folino.
- Rachel McCarthy.
- Ellie Boren.
The following Utah State players have declared for the draft:
The following Utah Valley University players have declared for the draft:
- Heather Stainbrook.
- Jenna Shepherd.
The following players who attended high school in Utah:
- Emily Jensen (East High) – Saint Mary's College of California.