Well, college softball fans, it’s that time of year again.

Back in June, a record 2.4 million viewers watched Teagan Kavan and Texas top NiJaree Canady’s Texas Tech team in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series championship. Choosing between the Red Raiders and the Longhorns for the No. 1 overall spot in our preseason rankings was a tall task.

But with NIL and the transfer portal playing an increasing role in the sport, Texas Tech has quickly gone from upstart to villain. A year after stealing away Canady from Stanford with a seven-figure payday, the program went on a full-on shopping spree, poaching star players from Tennessee, Ohio State and others. The Red Raiders will be the team to beat in 2026

Without further ado, the quest for Oklahoma City and the WCWS begins now.

1. Texas Tech (54-14, WCWS finals in 2025)

After superstar pitcher NiJaree Canady and the Red Raiders made it to the last night of the 2025 season, Tech’s big-spending NIL collective reeled in a transfer portal Dream Team. Tennessee slugger Taylor Pannell, Ohio State catcher and Big Ten home run leader Jasmyn Burns and Florida All-American Mia Williams join returning .389 hitter Mihyia Davis. And UCLA pitcher Kaitlyn Terry, who has 50 career starts, should ease the load on Canady, who struck out 319 in 240 innings last season.

2. Texas (56-12, 2025 WCWS champions)

Texas Tech edges Texas for No. 1 mainly due to pitching depth. All-American Teagan Kavan, star of the Longhorns’ national championship run, threw 207 innings, with Citlaly Gutierrez tallying just 82. They’ll be joined by Texas Tech LHP transfer Brenlee Gonzales. On offense, Texas lost Mia Scott, but catcher Reese Atwood, OF Ashton Maloney, INF/UTL Katie Stewart and OF Kayden Henry lead a squad that was top-three in Division I in base hits (630), RBIs (460) and batting average (.352).

3. Oklahoma (52-9, WCWS semifinals)

The Sooners remain a powerhouse, even if their streak of four straight national titles has ended. Though star pitcher Sam Landry has moved on to the AUSL, key returnees include career .419 slugger Ella Parker, Gabbie Garcia (team-leading 20 homers), Nelly McEnroe-Marinas and All-American outfielder Kasidi Pickering. Coach Patty Gasso also scored key transfers in pitchers Sydney Berzon (LSU) and Miali Guachino (Ole Miss), while landing the nation’s top recruiting class, led by pitcher Allyssa Parker.

1️⃣ Swing.

4️⃣ RBI.

Grand Slam Gabbie 💣 pic.twitter.com/G5lE04Md5s

— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) February 8, 2025

4. Oregon (54-10, WCWS)

The 2025 Big Ten regular-season champion returns 93 percent of its innings pitched, led by workhorse Lyndsey Grein. She made an NCAA-leading 53 appearances with 236 strikeouts, 33 of which came against top-25 opponents. Other key players include All-American first baseman Rylee McCoy, who hit .385 with 19 home runs and 59 RBIs, as well as transfers Addison Amaral (Notre Dame), Elon Butler (Cal) and Amari Harper (Texas A&M).

5. Tennessee (47-17, WCWS semifinals)

All-American pitcher Karlyn Pickens, who holds the NCAA record for fastest pitch (79.4 mph), carries the Lady Vols. She and the rest of Tennessee’s pitchers are back, as is second-leading hitter Saviya Morgan, but the other top six hitters departed. Longtime coach Karen Weekly landed Boise State outfielder Sophia Knight, the Mountain West record-holder for batting average (.486), and her teammate Makenzie Butt, a first baseman who hit 22 home runs.

6. Florida State (49-12, NCAA Super Regional)

Longtime coach Lonni Alameda’s Seminoles are picked to win the ACC for the 12th time in 13 years. Infielder Jaysoni Beachum, pitcher/outfielder Ashtyn Danley, pitcher Jazzy Francik, outfielder Kennedy Harp and infielder Isa Torres were all named to the preseason All-ACC Team. Francik (1.51) and Danley (1.60) had the two lowest ERAs in the conference last season, while Torres broke the program record for batting average at .436.

7. Arkansas (44-14, NCAA Super Regional)

The fourth-seeded Razorbacks bowed out of the postseason earlier than expected last season and now begin life without National Player of the Year Bri Ellis. But seven of nine positional starters and the entire pitching staff return. Pitcher Robyn Herron, infielder Ella McDowell and outfielder Dakota Kennedy, an Arizona transfer, have all earned All-America honors, and pitcher Payton Burnham was a Freshman All-American. Cal transfer Tianna Bell will take over at first base.

8. UCLA (55-13, WCWS)

The powerful hitting duo of Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery combined for 49 homers and 167 RBIs last season. Pitcher Taylor Tinsley was an All-American as well. But two other key pitchers, Addisen Fisher (Georgia) and Kaitlyn Terry (Texas Tech), took their talents elsewhere. Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez will lean on freshman hurler Natalie Cable. Cal transfer Mia Philips, an ACC All-Freshman pick last year, adds to an already stacked lineup.

9. Nebraska (43-15, NCAA Super Regional)

Nebraska last season reached its first Super Regional since 2014, led by superstar Jordy (Bahl) Frahm, the first player in NCAA history to notch at least 20 wins in the circle and hit 20 home runs. She’s back for one more run, joined by All-Big Ten selections Ava Kuszak (infield), Samantha Bland (infield) and Hannah Camenzind (pitcher/utility). Former Oklahoma outfielder Hannah Coor (25 career starts) and former UNLV catcher Jesse Farrell fill two holes in the lineup.

10. Florida (48-17, WCWS)

The third-seeded Gators suffered a shocking early exit in the 2025 WCWS and lost key players in Kendra Falby, Reagan Walsh and Korbe Otis. But returning outfielder Taylor Shumaker earned first-team All-America honors as a freshman, ranking second in the country in RBIs (86), while senior catcher Jocelyn Erickson has won back-to-back Rawlings Gold Glove Awards. In the circle, the Gators will run it back with Ava Brown and Keagan Rothrock.

TAYLOR. SHUMAKER. x @shumaker_taylor

📺: SEC Network | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/RM7Go1rjVk

— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) April 18, 2025

11. Clemson (48-14, NCAA Super Regional)

In just its sixth year as a program, Clemson pushed eventual champion Texas to the brink in a thrilling Super Regional. The Tigers lose stars Maddie Moore, Alex Brown and Brooke McCubbin, but senior outfielder Jamison Brockenbrough is a veteran presence, and shortstop Marian Collins led the team with a .366 average. Pitcher Macey Cintron is the reigning ACC Freshman of the Year, and Boston College transfer Abby Dunning ranked third in the conference with 172 strikeouts.

12. South Carolina (44-17, NCAA Super Regional)

The Gamecocks made their first Supers appearance since 2018 in coach Ashley Chastain Woodard’s first season, breaking program records for RBIs, runs, walks and doubles. First baseman Arianna Rodi set a program record with 17 homers. She’ll lead a lineup that also includes infielder Karley Shelton, catcher Lexi Winters and outfielder Quincee Lilio. As for pitching, South Carolina will lean on senior Jori Heard (18-3, 2.79 ERA) and junior Nealy Lamb (10-3, 3.26 ERA).

13. Texas A&M (48-11, NCAA Regional)

In the biggest shock of the 2025 season, Texas A&M became the first No. 1 overall seed to lose in the Regional round, falling to Liberty. However, the Aggies return All-American slugger Mya Perez and co-home run leader KK Dement. Pitchers Sidne Peters and Sydney Lessentine fill the void left by star Emiley Kennedy. Texas A&M will also get a boost from Missouri pitcher Taylor Pannell and touted freshman catcher Maddie Sauni.

14. Stanford (42-13, NCAA Regional)

The Cardinal, who move into a brand-new stadium this year, bring back their top six hitters from a team that set program records for runs (448) and home runs (101). River Mahler and Emily Jones both hit above .400, while Taryn Kern slammed 19 homers. All-ACC pick Alyssa Houston is the only proven pitcher, though. Freshman hurlers Lydia Berent or Emmaline Humphreys will need to deliver.

15. Georgia (35-23, NCAA Super Regional)

Georgia gets back seven positional starters from a team that made a surprising postseason run, and coach Tony Baldwin landed a loaded transfer class. Pitchers Addisen Fisher (UCLA) and Maddie Johnson (Coastal Carolina) were both Freshman All-Americans, and infielder Bailey Lindemuth started every game for Texas Tech’s national runner-up squad.

16. LSU (42-16, NCAA Regional)

The Tigers enter 2026 looking to avenge their stunning Regional exit to Southeastern Louisiana. LSU returns seven starters, while also featuring five portal additions. All-Americans Maci Bergeron and Tori Edwards top the LSU lineup, while sophomore pitcher Jayden Heavener will lead the way in the circle. Coach Beth Torina added depth with infielders Kylee Edwards (Mississippi State) and Ally Hutchins (Kentucky), as well as pitchers Paytn Monticelli (Oklahoma) and Cece Cellura (San Diego State).

17. Duke (41-18, NCAA Regional)

The Blue Devils earned their fifth consecutive NCAA bid under coach Marissa Young. Senior second baseman Aminah Vega led Duke in batting average (.417). Athletic outfielder D’Auna Jennings, catcher Kairi Rodriguez and utility player KK Mathis return as well, as does pitcher Cassidy Curd. The Blue Devils also added Minnesota’s Jess Oakland, the 2024 Big Ten Player of the Year.

18. Alabama (40-23, NCAA Super Regional)

Audrey Vandagriff is one of the sport’s budding stars after hitting .392 and stealing 50 bases (tied for second nationally) as a freshman. She’ll be joined in the lineup by former Iowa infielder Jena Young, a .359 hitter last season, and .341 hitter Brooke Wells, a transfer from Houston. Jocelyn Briski leads an experienced pitching stable.

19. Oklahoma State (35-20, NCAA Regional)

Coach Kenny Gajewski’s program saw its streak of five straight WCWS appearances end last season, but the Cowgirls return much of their production. Ruby Meylan was one of just 10 pitchers nationally with 20 wins and 200 innings pitched last season, and leading batter Rosie Davis hit .369. Center fielder Melina Wilkison, a transfer from Indiana, should move into the leadoff spot.

20. Washington (35-19, NCAA Regional)

The Huskies were young in 2025 and look poised for a breakout. Sophomore infielder Alexis DeBoer — the daughter of Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer — hit .358 with 21 home runs as a freshman, while catcher Jadyn Glab hit 15 homers. The pitching rotation should be strong with Sophia Ramuno, Morgan Reimer and Arizona transfer Ryan Maddox.

21. Arizona (48-13, NCAA Regional)

All-American catcher Sydney Stewart led Arizona with 20 homers and 68 RBIs, while junior center fielder Regan Shockey hit .432. The Wildcats also return shortstop Tayler Biehl, a former Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. After losing a whopping seven pitchers, Arizona will lean on transfers Jalen Adams (Iowa) and Jenae Berry (Indiana).

22. Virginia Tech (43-13, NCAA Regional)

The Hokies are coming off their third 40-plus-win season in four years. Losing ACC Player of the Year Cori McMillian is a significant blow, but Virginia Tech has most of its starting core intact, led by junior infielder Michelle Chatfield, and added South Carolina’s Bre Warren, a sixth-year senior.

23. Ole Miss (42-21, WCWS)

The program is coming off its first-ever WCWS, but will need to rely heavily on transfers this season. New pitchers include Emilee Boyer, the Division II National Player of the Year at West Texas A&M, and Oklahoma State veteran Kyra Aycock. All-SEC first baseman Persy Llamas and Mackenzie Pickens lead the returning hitters.

24. Mississippi State (39-19, NCAA Regional)

The Bulldogs finished above .500 in conference play for the first time since 2001. Senior infielder Nadia Barbary, who hit .353, is joined by infielder Morgan Stiles and outfielder Kiarra Sells among the returnees. Delainey Everett will be the face to watch in the circle.

25. Virginia (38-19, NCAA Regional)

The Cavaliers won 38 games last season — the program’s most since 2004 — and set numerous school hitting records. All-American shortstop Jade Hylton and first-team All-ACC pitcher Eden Bigham lead the returning cast. Other top hitters include third baseman Bella Cabral and first baseman Macee Eaton, who set a school record for RBIs (63).

Just missed: Arizona State, Ohio State, Liberty, FAU, Grand Canyon