Every year after the softball season ends, lots of players decide to leave their current teams and look for new ones.
Maybe your team’s best pitcher will join a rival. Or maybe the hitter who gave you trouble last season might become your new teammate.
Thanks to big NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and players moving closer to home, the transfer portal has turned softball into a busy, year-round event.
Here, we will share the biggest player moves, top names still available, and how this new system is changing the way college softball operates.
What is the Transfer Portal?
The NCAA Transfer Portal, launched in October 2018, has revolutionized the process by which student-athletes transfer to a new school.
For softball players, it serves as a centralized database where athletes can enter their information and make themselves available to other programs.
The process works in several key steps:
- A player notifies their school’s compliance office of their intention to transfer.
- The school enters the player’s information into the portal within two business days.
- Once in the portal, coaches from other schools can contact the player.
- The player can then evaluate opportunities and commit to a new program.
As of April 2024, significant rule changes have made transferring more accessible than ever.
The NCAA has eliminated restrictions on the number of transfers academically eligible athletes can make during their college careers, removing the requirement to sit out a year for multiple transfers.
For softball specifically, the transfer windows for the 2025-2026 season will open after the regular season and last 30 days. Graduate transfers can enter the portal at any time.
Latest Transfer Portal Listings
Here are some of the most notable players currently in the 2025 softball transfer portal:
| Player Name | Position | School | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maya Johnson | Pitcher | Belmont | 2024 All-American, looking for a Power Five opportunity |
| Desirae Spearman | Pitcher | New Mexico State | Conference USA Player of the Year, in high demand |
| Arianna Rodi | Infielder | UMass | Power hitter with two years of eligibility left |
| Ruby Meylan | Pitcher | Washington | Former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year |
| NiJaree Canady | Pitcher | Stanford | National Player of the Year finalist |
Recent Transfer Portal Commitments
Several major commitments have already shaped the 2025 softball landscape:
- CeCe Cellura to LSU: The former San Diego State pitcher committed to the Tigers on May 26, 2025, bringing elite talent to an SEC powerhouse.
- Ella Harrison to Auburn: Another pitcher on the move, Harrison leaves Rutgers to join the competitive SEC at Auburn, also committing on May 26, 2025.
- New Mexico State’s Portal Success: The Aggies have been particularly active, securing nine incoming transfers to bolster their roster after a 30-win 2024 campaign.
These moves highlight how programs are increasingly relying on transfers to fill immediate needs rather than waiting for freshman development.
The immediacy of impact has made transfer recruiting a top priority for coaching staffs across the nation.
Rising Programs to Watch Out!
Several college softball programs have made strategic moves in the transfer portal, utilizing it to increase their competitiveness and improve their performance.
- Texas Tech made a significant splash by landing Ni’Jaree Canady, considered one of the nation’s top pitchers, with a stellar 0.73 ERA and 337 strikeouts last season, which immediately positions the Red Raiders as a serious contender.
- Nebraska, although not historically a softball powerhouse, has proven its ability to attract top talent through the transfer portal, helping to improve the program’s status.
- Oklahoma State, with a series of key power-conference transfers, including Ruby Meylan, is setting itself up as a new standard in the Big 12, showcasing the potential of the transfer portal to take a team from good to great.
These programs highlight how strategic portal use can accelerate rebuilding and increase a team’s performance.
Resources for Tracking Transfer Portal Activity
If you want to stay up-to-date, here are some of the best places for real-time transfer news:
- On3 Transfer Portal: Up-to-the-minute listings and player statuses.
- Extra Inning Softball: Regular updates and analysis.
For more details, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Deadlines for Entering the Softball Transfer Portal?
Yes. There are sport-specific windows when athletes can enter the portal. Graduate transfers have more flexibility and can join at any time, but undergraduates must follow the designated transfer window for their sport.
Do Transfer Rules Differ Between NCAA Divisions?
Yes, while the general process is similar, some details, such as academic standards and scholarship rules, can vary between Division I, II, and III.
