Stanford star pitcher NiJaree Canady to transfer to Texas Tech

One of softball’s most prominent players has officially decided on a transfer destination, with Stanford pitcher NiJaree Canady opting to transfer to Texas Tech.

That stunning news comes courtesy of On3’s Pete Nakos.

The offer was sweet from the Red Raiders, with Nakos reporting that Canady will receive an NIL deal that is pushing $1.2 million.

Canady, the reigning national softball player of the year, entered the transfer portal on the final day of the window on June 17.

She was recruited hard by multiple programs, including the four-time defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners. So to say Texas Tech sprang quite an upset is an understatement.

Canady burst onto the scene as a freshman at Stanford in 2023 when she finished with a 17-3 record and a 0.57 ERA to win D1Softball National Freshman of the Year honors. It seemed like she found a new gear as a sophomore in 2024, though – totaling a 24-7 record and a 0.73 ERA as she brought home USA Softball National Player of the Year.

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NiJaree Canady helped propel Stanford to the Women’s College World Series this past season. Through her 41 appearances, which included 29 starts, she allowed three or more runs six times. She also started all four of Stanford’s WCWS games, including a 3-1 victory over UCLA in which the Bruins’ high-powered offense totaled just four hits.

Hailing from Topeka High School, Canady was twice named the Kansas Softball Gatorade Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. She committed to Stanford as the No. 11 recruit in the country, according to Extra Innings Softball, after leading her high school to back-to-back state championships.

NiJaree Canady ends her career at Stanford with 555 strikeouts to rank fifth in program history.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.