The Portland Thorns’ first pick of the 2021 NWSL Draft, Yazmeen Ryan, is a trailblazer. She has been a part of many firsts for her high school and Texas Christian University. Being part of the first state championship team for Norman North High School was an unforgettable feeling for Ryan. When her future coach at TCU, Eric Bell, said she could help the Horned Frogs win their first NCAA College Cup she was immediately intrigued.
Ryan didn’t know TCU existed. She was playing at a Thanksgiving invitational when TCU coaches Bell and Ryan Higginbotham spotted her on separate occasions at the tournament.