Jenna Nighswonger was a revelation in her rookie year. The 2023 season saw the Florida State midfielder drafted fourth overall by Gotham FC. There, she would not only help her team to its first NWSL championship, but win Rookie of the Year—all while converting to fullback, a position she had never played.
But that wasn’t challenging enough for the Huntington Beach, Calif. native. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Nighswonger was looking to push herself even more, so she signed with WSL side Arsenal in 2025.