Texas Softball Recruiting and Portal Thread

[BurntOrange&White 38,877]

I know news for softball recruiting and portal is hard to come by but I think having a thread specific to recruiting and the portal could be good for a reference type thread. That way we can look back in a year or two and see older news to see how things went. 

 

With that being said:

 

@Js1

Edited June 17 by BurntOrange&White

[Js1 83,351]

I’ll believe it when I see it. Just like Maxwell, maybe we get a visit or some “interest” but it’s always going to end up OU

[perfectchaos007 6,539]

Texas is a lot closer academically to Stanford than OU. If her family cares at all about her academics like they explicitly said they did when she committed to Stanford, then Texas should be favored. But, we know how this will play out 

[Js1 83,351]

Today is the deadline but schools have up to 48 hours to enter names. So we should know soon if any Horns are transferring 

Edited June 17 by Js1

[Js1 83,351]

Canady has recently followed Tiare Jennings (same agent), Lauren Chamberlain and Mia Scott

[perfectchaos007 6,539]

Step 1: convince Canady to take an OV to Texas

Step 2: roll out the red carpet. 
 

Step 3: ???

Step 4: Profit!

[Pato del Muerto 52,093]

Step 3:  receive updated NIL offer from ou and commit to there. 

[Js1 83,351]

8 minutes ago, perfectchaos007 said:

Step 1: convince Canady to take an OV to Texas

Step 2: roll out the red carpet. 
 

Step 3: ???

Step 4: Profit!

Step 3 - 

Remind her over and over that we are returning 86% of our home runs, 85% of our RBIs, 84% of our hits and she won't have to pitch 51+% of the team's innings and will have an experienced lineup that is still pretty young (1 graduate student, 1 senior, 4 juniors, 2 sophomores) and she will have 2 seasons of being teammates with Atwood/Martinez/Stewart/Henry.

She wants to win a title?  Texas has the roster that puts her in contention for her final 2 years. She will get to be the ace, but has 2 or 3 (depending on if someone leaves) very experienced pitchers behind her so she doesn't have to pitch back to back games/days. 

Edited June 17 by Js1

[idigTexas 2,257]

1 minute ago, Js1 said:

She wants to win a title?  Texas has the roster that puts her in contention for her final 2 years.

Do you sell ice to the Inuit?  I don't see how we can present a more convincing argument than OU when it comes to being in a position to win titles.  

[Js1 83,351]

3 minutes ago, idigTexas said:

 I don't see how we can present a more convincing argument than OU when it comes to being in a position to win titles.  

OU loses 10 seniors + 3 more players into the portal. 

I really don't care if you have back to back #1 ranked classes, you're hoping a lineup featuring basically 6-8 freshman are going to be day 1 studs.  Unless Gasso just recruits over all of them, but there isn't 6-8 more stud offensive players in the portal right now.  Maybe a couple, like Wyckoff. 

Also moving into the best league in college softball, where pitchers also get punished by much better talent and having an experienced and deep staff (Canady, Kavan, Morgan, maybe Gutierrez) is a real asset. 

Edited June 17 by Js1

[idigTexas 2,257]

Just now, Js1 said:

OU loses 10 seniors + 3 more players into the portal. 

I really don't care if you have back to back #1 ranked classes, you're hoping a lineup featuring basically 6-8 freshman are going to be day 1 studs.  Unless Gasso just recruits over all of them, but there isn't 6-8 more stud offensive players in the portal right now.  Maybe a couple, like Wyckoff. 

They also have the best coach in the game and a demonstrated ability to run it back.  Your points are valid, and I like your optimism, but until someone else wins, OU has to be where players want to go to win a title.  I'd love for Texas to change that next season.  

[BurntOrange&White 38,877]

1 minute ago, idigTexas said:

They also have the best coach in the game and a demonstrated ability to run it back.  Your points are valid, and I like your optimism, but until someone else wins, OU has to be where players want to go to win a title.  I'd love for Texas to change that next season.  

If you don't make a huge push and do what it takes to land a player of Canady's ability then you're just conceding IMO. It's been about 5-6 years since OU has been in this position where there are more questions than answers regarding roster.

[Js1 83,351]

3 minutes ago, idigTexas said:

They also have the best coach in the game and a demonstrated ability to run it back.  Your points are valid, and I like your optimism, but until someone else wins, OU has to be where players want to go to win a title.  I'd love for Texas to change that next season.  

I’m just saying, that’s going to be Mike’s pitch + academics. And whatever NIL we can put together.

OU has their pitch - Gasso + $250k. But she’s banking on a lot of freshman at once being ready. Texas can offer the experienced roster to back her up 

[Pato del Muerto 52,093]

Why is the assumption that all of ou’s losses would have to be replaced by incoming freshmen or transfers?  I assume they’ve been recruiting at a top level for a while and have capable players that were fresh or sophs this season, who are capable but were behind proven all-American types. 

[Js1 83,351]

5 minutes ago, Pato del Muerto said:

Why is the assumption that all of ou’s losses would have to be replaced by incoming freshmen or transfers?  I assume they’ve been recruiting at a top level for a while and have capable players that were fresh or sophs this season, who are capable but were behind proven all-American types. 

They return 3 players from the bench who barely saw time, 2 returning underclass starters and lost 2 of the underclass backups to the portal, one of whom played in the WCWS finals due to an injury to the starting 2B. 

The main offensive returners are Parker, Pickering and Sanders.

Hits - return 31% (but 83% of those are from P, P, S)
HR - 36% (but 91% are from P, P, S)
RBI - 40% (but 84% are from P, P, S)

Edited June 17 by Js1

[Cairn Horn88 8,086]

Canady had to already have some kind of a commitment or she would not have entered the portal.  She knows where she's going, I believe, and if it isn't Texas, then we know that for a fact.  And if we know that, are we making a play to change her mind?  Everything is hush hush until an announcement....maybe we are negotiating, at least I'd like to think so.  If it is $$$, then OU probably has the edge...if it is academics then we have the advantage (assuming Florida isn't in the picture).  All I know is what I read here, so whatever her decision is, we will find out soon, I'd think.

[Cairn Horn88 8,086]

https://hookemheadlines.com/posts/texas-a-possibility-for-ace-stanford-transfer-nijaree-canady-01j0kb0pk31a

[bschoolprof 6,221]

https://hookemheadlines.com/posts/bschoolprof-a-possibility-for-sophia-simpsons-next-affair-with-old-married-dude-01j0kb0pk31a

[Js1 83,351]

[bschoolprof 6,221]

Ryan Brown to the portal.  Not shocking.  

[Js1 83,351]

2 minutes ago, bschoolprof said:

Ryan Brown to the portal.  Not shocking.  

Very expected 

Edited June 19 by Js1

[FloridaHorn 4,726]

34 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Very expected 

Good move for her. She has a big bat, but there is nowhere for her to play defensively.

[Js1 83,351]

Since it’s about 2025ers -

Max Preps named Hannah Wells their 2024 state player of the year

DMN named Caigan Crabtree their 2024 state player of the year - .545 with 21 home runs, 61 RBIs, 66 hits, 43 extra-base hits and 57 runs for a 38-2-1 team that is ranked No. 13 in the nation by MaxPreps. she also is the first player to hit 2 HR in the UIL state champ game 

[Cairn Horn88 8,086]

https://www.on3.com/nil/news/nijaree-canady-stanford-cardinal-softball-pitcher-transfer-portal-nil-deal-mlb-playball-weekend/

[Js1 83,351]

Don't expect a quick decision, as Canady is playing with Team USA at the Japan All-Stars Series in early July.

[Js1 83,351]

Also VolNation said she visited Florida.

I would not be surprised to see her visit list be OU, Texas, Florida and maybe FSU

[Cairn Horn88 8,086]

I don’t know why, just a gut feeling that OU just might not be the place she ends up.

[Hookem10 580]

I think the education keeps her from ou. Doesn’t mean Texas. I just think she hopes her nil money from another school is close enough somewhere else. 

[Cairn Horn88 8,086]

44 minutes ago, Hookem10 said:

I think the education keeps her from ou. Doesn’t mean Texas. I just think she hopes her nil money from another school is close enough somewhere else. 

Ahead of her decision to test the portal waters, Canady inked an NIL deal with MLB PlayBall Weekend. Repped by the softball-driven Players Collxctive agency, the former Stanford star traveled to New York City to participate in the event with MLB.  Somewhere in the $250K range.

[Hookem10 580]

If it’s not about money, we have a shot I guess 

[Js1 83,351]

I wonder if that was the $250k everyone though Ou was handing her 

[bschoolprof 6,221]

OU got the catcher/corner IF from UNC (Emerling). She has a big bat; seems like a good pickup for the evil empire. 

[Js1 83,351]

9 minutes ago, bschoolprof said:

OU got the catcher/corner IF from UNC (Emerling). She has a big bat; seems like a good pickup for the evil empire. 

We know they’ll pick up players 

[txhorns 2,405]

Just wanted to say thank you for this thread and those of you who share the news.  As a passive softball fan it makes it much easier for me to keep up with what is going on with the team.

[Js1 83,351]

OU picked up Utah OF Abby Dayton over the weekend

Hit .431 in the Pac 12 with 2 HR, 10 doubles and 6 triples. 

She's basically Ashton Maloney.  Slapper with a high average and not much out of the ballpark power.  Speed to burn. 

Edited June 24 by Js1

[10SNE1 107]

22 minutes ago, txhorns said:

Just wanted to say thank you for this thread and those of you who share the news.  As a passive softball fan it makes it much easier for me to keep up with what is going on with the team.

Agreed! I'm all for segregating recruiting, transfer portal news than combining with the season's thread!

[Hornsbay22 452]

I hope Mike White is looking at Lauren Allred from ULL.   Dug deeper on some of her numbers and I think she may be better fit for us than Davis.   Big lefty power hitter than can catch, play 1b, and OF.   

[Js1 83,351]

12 minutes ago, Hornsbay22 said:

I hope Mike White is looking at Lauren Allred from ULL.   Dug deeper on some of her numbers and I think she may be better fit for us than Davis.   Big lefty power hitter than can catch, play 1b, and OF.   

Sucks she was lost for the season with a back injury.  Would be very cautious about bringing in a player coming off an injury.

2023 - .375, 12 HR, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 18/8 walk to K ratio, .985 fielding

She wasn't exactly lighting the world on fire in her 12 games to start 2024 before she was ruled out for the year - .125, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 7/12 BB/K

[FloridaHorn 4,726]

36 minutes ago, Hornsbay22 said:

I hope Mike White is looking at Lauren Allred from ULL.   Dug deeper on some of her numbers and I think she may be better fit for us than Davis.   Big lefty power hitter than can catch, play 1b, and OF.   

I don't think White fishes in the portal this year, unless is it a sure fire lock down ace, or a big power bat. There just isn't anywhere to put a player that would certainly come in expecting to be in the lineup. White will have a hard enough time trying to find regular spots for Joley Mitchell, and Hunter this season. 

[Js1 83,351]

7 minutes ago, FloridaHorn said:

I don't think White fishes in the portal this year, unless is it a sure fire lock down ace, or a big power bat. There just isn't anywhere to put a player that would certainly come in expecting to be in the lineup. White will have a hard enough time trying to find regular spots for Joley Mitchell, and Hunter this season. 

Also my thought.  Power bat, lock down ace, and maybe a lefty specialist. 

I think we have enough candidates on the roster to replace Dayton in the OF and we have options for 2B to replace Washington.   I wonder if Hunter could play 2B or if the plan is move Mia to the OF, Hunter at 3B and Goode at 2B.  Either way, I don't see us making any splash moves (yet) besides Canady.  

[FloridaHorn 4,726]

4 minutes ago, Js1 said:

Also my thought.  Power bat, lock down ace, and maybe a lefty specialist. 

I think we have enough candidates on the roster to replace Dayton in the OF and we have options for 2B to replace Washington.   I wonder if Hunter could play 2B or if the plan is move Mia to the OF, Hunter at 3B and Goode at 2B.  Either way, I don't see us making any splash moves (yet) besides Canady.  

I think Mia has to go to LF...Hunter to 3B and either MItchell or Goode at 2B. 

[Js1 83,351]

Just now, FloridaHorn said:

I think Mia has to go to LF...Hunter to 3B and either MItchell or Goode at 2B. 

Who is your DP if Mia is at LF, Hunter at 3B and Mitchell at 2B?

 

[Hornsbay22 452]

29 minutes ago, FloridaHorn said:

I think Mia has to go to LF...Hunter to 3B and either MItchell or Goode at 2B. 

I'd think Stewart would be the better option at 3B,  from what I've seen in the past Hunter doesn't have the glove to play there unless she has progressed. 

[Js1 83,351]

Wyckoff ended up at Arky.  Better than OU - she was better than the catcher transfer from UNC they picked up. 

[FloridaHorn 4,726]

1 hour ago, Hornsbay22 said:

I'd think Stewart would be the better option at 3B,  from what I've seen in the past Hunter doesn't have the glove to play there unless she has progressed. 

Hunter had 6 chance this season in the field and made 0 errors. Are you referring to her travel ball career?

[Goodman 3,272]

If Mia can improve her consistency in the slightest at 3rd, she should not go anywhere. Same with Vivi and Henry.

We need bigger steps forward for every other position IMO. 

2nd, LF and Right should be open for competition. It'd be great if Goode took a huge step and was a reliable plus for us. Stats say Ashton should have RF locked up but I dunno..

Stewart and Reese need to continue building on their confidence of being studs at the plate, they must take huge steps on Defense. Too many WTF moments for their talent level. 

Very much looking forward to watching these girls compete next season.

[Hornsbay22 452]

32 minutes ago, FloridaHorn said:

Hunter had 6 chance this season in the field and made 0 errors. Are you referring to her travel ball career?

Yes struggles laterally and not the softest hand, which neither are a requirement for 3B.  

[Js1 83,351]

OU picks up SS/RHP Agbayani from BYU

[dcar00 13,956]

39 minutes ago, Js1 said:

OU picks up SS/RHP Agbayani from BYU

do any of these pickups hurt their recruiting class?  constantly getting portal'd over would seem to be a worry but maybe in softball some players just want to be on the team.  Kind of like our OL for many years.

[Js1 83,351]

Just now, dcar00 said:

do any of these pickups hurt their recruiting class?  constantly getting portal'd over would seem to be a worry but maybe in softball some players just want to be on the team.  Kind of like our OL for many years.

 Could see a lot of them come in and then bounce after a year like Hodge, Lilio, SJ Guerin did