Early 8 for 2026 Women's College World Series

We saw a first-time Women’s College World Series champ in 2025. Could we see another in 2026? Maybe the Longhorns go back-to-back or will Oklahoma return to the mountain top? Let’s take a guess 50 weeks out from the next WCWS.

Alabama

Over the past decade, it has been rare for Alabama to miss back-to-back Women’s College World Series. Jocelyn Briski found her stride in the back half of the season as she heads into junior year. Audrey Vandagriff will headline the offense. Alabama will be looking at pitchers and potential power bats in the infield. They also welcome a very talented freshman class that has five-star local pitcher Victoria Moten.

Florida State

The Seminoles got a rough draw in Super Regionals, facing NiJaree Canady, but were a consensus pick to make the Women’s College World Series for most of the 2025 season. Florida State saw growth from Ashtyn Danley in the circle and Softball America Freshman All-American Jazzy Francik was great as well. All-American shortstop Isa Torres returns to lead the offense, and we can assume that Jaysoni Beachum has a bounce-back season. Florida State also brings in one of the best 2025 recruiting classes, headlined by five-star infielder Hayley Griggs.

Nebraska

Jordy Bahl was one win away from leading the Cornhuskers back to the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2013. Nebraska returns a handful of their top bats, including Ava Kuszak, Olivia DiNardo, Hannah Camenzind and Samantha Bland. Nebraska will be active in the transfer portal and finding another trustworthy arm behind Bahl would be huge to make the run to Oklahoma City. They’ve already landed a commitment from former UNLV catcher Jesse Farrell.

Oklahoma

Until the Sooners don’t make it back to Oklahoma City, we will continue to predict them to be mainstays in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma projects to have nearly its entire lineup back next season, including Ella Parker, Kasidi Pickering, and Gabbie Garcia. The early transfer addition of former LSU All-American Sydney Berzon certainly helps. They bring back veteran Kierston Deal and talented rising sophomore Audrey Lowey. They will also have talented freshmen Sophia Bordi, Allyssa Parker and Berkley Zache available in the circle.

Oregon

The graduations of Paige Sinicki, Kai and Kedre Luschar will be hard to replace, but Oregon brings back most of its Women’s College World Series roster. The Ducks had an incredible freshman class. Rylee McCoy made the Softball America All-American team. Most importantly, both Lyndsey Grein and Elise Sokolsky are back in the circle.

Tennessee

Karlyn Pickens is good enough to carry the Lady Vols back to Oklahoma City. Tennessee is projected to to have Sage Mardjetko, Erin Nuwer, Top 10 2025 pitchers Peyton Hardenburger and Kailey Plumlee on the pitching staff. The Lady Vols saw good things from their young bats of Ella Dodge, Emma Clarke Gabby and Alannah Leach down the stretch. Plus, Tennessee has already gained the commits from transfer Sophia Knight, Makenzie Butt and Maddi Rutan.

Texas

The Longhorns do graduate Mia Scott and Joley Mitchell, two key pieces of their lineup, as well as Mac Morgan. However, most of the core, including Teagan Kavan and Reese Atwood, return. Texas will get back Vivi Martinez, who missed the entire 2025 season with an injury. I also would expect Texas to be active in the transfer portal; I would expect them to add another outfielder and potentially another arm. Texas also added seven four-star recruits from its 2025 signing class.

Texas Tech

NiJaree Canady has made the Women’s College World Series all three seasons she has played. She has done it without hosting in Super Regionals twice. It’s hard to imagine she doesn’t make it back in her senior season. Mihyia Davis is also back for her fourth and final season. The Red Raiders are also expected to be very active in the transfer portal after the Women’s College World Series, even after the addition of Ohio State All-American catcher Jazzy Burns.

For transfer portal news, stay up to date with the Softball America transfer wire and the Dugout, our discussion board for members.

More from Softball America:
2027 Pitcher Recruiting Rankings
2027 Catcher Recruiting Rankings
2027 Middle Infield Rankings