If you declare for the draft, you forfeit the rest of your NCAA eligibility (if you have any). Check out paragraph 1.a.iii. of the rules. https://www.nwslsoccer.com/documents/2023/11/21/Draft_Eligibility_Rules_v2.pdfSounds like a lot of work. I bet for many players order of preference goes like this...
1. Make yourself eligible for the draft. If picked play pro if not picked go to the transfer portal.
2. Try to make the transfer portal work. If the transfer portal works new team.
3. If the transfer portal doesn't work stay at your current team.
I'm sure coaches will be awful to you if you stay. But if this happens other teams will hear about it and eventually you'll be able to get out. Unfortunately College sports are pseudo professional requiring a high level of effort and they've got players undercontrol with red tape and scholarships.
The women's side really needs something like MLS Next and a homegrown rule. Young female players are getting screwed out of their primary playing/earning years.
So there’s no going back to college once you declare. I’ve been wondering about that after seeing how many younger players — sophomores, redshirt sophomores - declared and didn’t get picked up this year. What is their backup plan? Are agents and agencies really able to get them all pro slots for next year?