College softball season is underway, and players are starting to help their respective Power 4 programs make a case for why they’re the top teams to watch.

Texas Tech, the 2025 Women’s College World Series runner-up, welcomed the No. 1-ranked transfer class in the offseason. With its reloaded roster, Texas Tech began the season tied with reigning national champion Texas for the No. 1 ranking in the ESPN/USA Softball preseason rankings.

With much at stake on the diamond this season, here are six Black collegiate softball players to follow:

NiJaree Canady, pitcher, Texas Tech

NiJaree Canady is entering her senior season with an already accomplished collegiate career.

Last season, Canady led the Red Raiders to their first Women’s College World Series appearance, where they defeated four-time national champion Oklahoma in the semifinals. Pitching five full games in the WCWS, Canady was relieved only in the final matchup, which Texas Tech lost to Texas 10-4. Her arm led Texas Tech to its longest postseason run in program history.

After forcing a Game 3 in the WCWS last season, Canady signed her second seven-figure NIL deal with Texas Tech to ensure her return for her senior season. Head coach Gerry Glasco retained his superstar, who will compete alongside highly valued new additions to the team, giving Texas Tech a serious chance at its first national title.

Jasmyn Burns, catcher, Texas Tech

Junior Jasmyn Burns was a part of the star-studded No. 1-ranked transfer class that Texas Tech recruited after its historic WCWS run. The Ohio State transfer is one of three All-Americans the Texas Tech coaching staff added to its roster.

Last season with Ohio State, Burns led the team with a .455 batting average and set a single-season program record with 25 home runs. She also was a top 25 finalist for the 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, along with Canady.

Kayden Henry, outfielder, Texas

Junior center fielder Kayden Henry returns to Texas this season as a national champion. Henry led Texas in hits (three) during the final game of the WCWS championship series.

The center fielder started 64 games last season for Texas, had the third-best batting average on the team (.409), and led the team in stolen bases (33). Her speed is a threat on the base path and makes her one of the Southeastern Conference’s best outfielders. Henry was named to the 2026 preseason All-SEC Team.

Every year Henry has played with Texas, the team has made it to the WCWS. With Henry’s postseason experience, statistics and accolades, she will be a key component to the Longhorns’ campaign to defend their title.

Amari Harper, infielder/utility, Oregon

Texas A&M transfer Amari Harper joins Oregon after having her best collegiate season last year. While she split time between the infield and outfield with the Aggies, earning her an All-SEC selection as a utility player, it was her bat that made a statement. The lefty batter can find her way on base: She had a .421 batting average last season, with eight home runs and 11 doubles, and she was hit by a pitch 16 times. Her 51 runs batted in (RBI) prove she was also able to score runners on base.

Now, Harper has the chance to continue to excel at Oregon. She has yet to compete in the Women’s College World Series, but with Oregon ranked fifth in ESPN’s preseason poll, the senior may get her shot this season.

Ella Parker, utility, Oklahoma

While Oklahoma didn’t win another national title last season, they are still one of the most feared teams in college softball, in large part because of Ella Parker. Now a junior, she proved she was a force to be reckoned with during her freshman season, when she led the Sooners in hitting with a .415 batting average and helped the program earn a national title.

Working primarily as the team’s designated hitter, tasked with only hitting in most games, she had a .423 batting average last season, and added 53 RBIs in her sophomore campaign. She opened last season’s WCWS appearance with a walk-off home run off Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens, who had previously set a record last season for the fastest pitch in NCAA softball history at 78.2 mph. Parker capped the season by being named to the WCWS all-tournament team.

Saviya Morgan, outfielder, Tennessee

Saviya Morgan helped Tennessee reach the Women’s College World Series last season, and the Volunteers made it to the semifinals. Her best postseason performance came in Tennessee’s 5-0 win over Ohio State in May during the NCAA Regionals. In that game, she went 2-for-4 at the plate, hitting .400 in the Knoxville Regional overall and helping her team advance to the NCAA Super Regionals.

Now a sophomore, the Tennessee native started 59 out of 62 games as a freshman. Last season, Morgan had the second-highest batting average for the Volunteers, hitting .340, and led the team in stolen bases (25). She recorded a season-high three stolen bases in a game against Oregon State in February 2025.

With Tennessee predicted to finish fourth in ESPN’s preseason rankings, Morgan is part of a talented group returning for the Volunteers.

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