Texas Tech University Athletics
Eight Red Raiders named to Softball America Top 100
January 12, 2026 | Softball
NiJaree Canady sits atop the list at No. 1
LUBBOCK, Texas – Softball America released its list of the top 100 players entering the 2026 season. Softball America used advanced metrics from 64Analytics to determine the list which features a nation-leading eight names.
Texas Tech is represented by NiJaree Canady (No. 1), Taylor Pannell (No. 12), Mia Williams (No. 16), Mihyia Davis (No. 24), Kaitlyn Terry (No. 44), Jasmyn Burns (No. 46), Hailey Toney (No. 79) and Desirae Spearman (No. 85).
The Red Raiders featured the No. 1 transfer portal class in the country again thanks to the addition of some of those players.
NiJaree Canady led the country in victories this past season (34) and was named the Big 12 and NFCA Pitcher of the Year for her performance. Canady led the Red Raiders to their first-ever Big 12 title, Super Regional appearance and WCWS appearance.
Taylor Pannell spent time at third base and outfield while in Knoxville, slashing .351/.632/.425 over 124 games. Her power took a big leap this past season, hitting 13 doubles and 16 home runs which doubled her total from her freshman campaign. She was also named to the NFCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Team and a 2025 CSC Academic All-American, NFCA Second Team All-American and All-SEC First Team honoree.
Mia Williams finished the 2025 season with 19 home runs and was a 2025 NFCA Second Team All-American as well as All-SEC Second Team and NFCA All-Gulf Region First Team honoree. She hit .335 with 44 RBI, recording 18 multi-hit games and was in on 18 double plays from the second base position.
Mihyia Davis etched her name in the Texas Tech record book finished with a .389 batting average (7th best in a single season) and set a new school record for at bats (239), hits (93) ad runs (66) while also coming second in triples (6), third in total bases (131), third in stolen bases (27) and hat a 14-game hitting streak which is tied for fourth longest.
Kaitlyn Terry recorded her second straight 20-win season with the Bruins, going 20-5 with a 2.64 ERA and striking out 172 batters while walking just 34. The lefty helped UCLA to a 2025 WCWS appearance as she was named to the NFCA All-West Region Third Team. Her freshman season, Terry was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year as she posted a 21-3 record with a 2.38 ERA and 161 strikeouts.
Jasmyn Burns slashed .455/1.006/.540 this past season with 25 home runs and 72 RBI on her way to being named an NFCA First Team All-American, NFCA All-Great Lakes Region First Team member and All-Big Ten First Team member. Burns was also named to the Big Ten All-Freshmen Team and the NFCA All-Midwest Region Third Team in her freshman year.
Hailey Toney was phenomenal at the shortstop position, having just one error from March 7 to June 6. Toney also hit .323 with 63 hits, 14 doubles and seven homers. Toney was great in the WCWS recording a clutch home run against UCLA and a big double against Oklahoma to set up the winning RBI.
Desirae Spearman was named the 2024 CUSA Freshman and Player of the Year and is a two-time All-CUSA First Teamer and holds a 3.38 career ERA with 193 strikeouts while also slashing .398/.921/.540 with 38 home runs and 90 RBI for her career. Her .430 batting average this past season set a program record and her .606 on-base percentage and .977 slugging percentage were both ranked fifth in the country.
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Texas Tech is represented by NiJaree Canady (No. 1), Taylor Pannell (No. 12), Mia Williams (No. 16), Mihyia Davis (No. 24), Kaitlyn Terry (No. 44), Jasmyn Burns (No. 46), Hailey Toney (No. 79) and Desirae Spearman (No. 85).
The Red Raiders featured the No. 1 transfer portal class in the country again thanks to the addition of some of those players.
NiJaree Canady led the country in victories this past season (34) and was named the Big 12 and NFCA Pitcher of the Year for her performance. Canady led the Red Raiders to their first-ever Big 12 title, Super Regional appearance and WCWS appearance.
Taylor Pannell spent time at third base and outfield while in Knoxville, slashing .351/.632/.425 over 124 games. Her power took a big leap this past season, hitting 13 doubles and 16 home runs which doubled her total from her freshman campaign. She was also named to the NFCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Team and a 2025 CSC Academic All-American, NFCA Second Team All-American and All-SEC First Team honoree.
Mia Williams finished the 2025 season with 19 home runs and was a 2025 NFCA Second Team All-American as well as All-SEC Second Team and NFCA All-Gulf Region First Team honoree. She hit .335 with 44 RBI, recording 18 multi-hit games and was in on 18 double plays from the second base position.
Mihyia Davis etched her name in the Texas Tech record book finished with a .389 batting average (7th best in a single season) and set a new school record for at bats (239), hits (93) ad runs (66) while also coming second in triples (6), third in total bases (131), third in stolen bases (27) and hat a 14-game hitting streak which is tied for fourth longest.
Kaitlyn Terry recorded her second straight 20-win season with the Bruins, going 20-5 with a 2.64 ERA and striking out 172 batters while walking just 34. The lefty helped UCLA to a 2025 WCWS appearance as she was named to the NFCA All-West Region Third Team. Her freshman season, Terry was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year as she posted a 21-3 record with a 2.38 ERA and 161 strikeouts.
Jasmyn Burns slashed .455/1.006/.540 this past season with 25 home runs and 72 RBI on her way to being named an NFCA First Team All-American, NFCA All-Great Lakes Region First Team member and All-Big Ten First Team member. Burns was also named to the Big Ten All-Freshmen Team and the NFCA All-Midwest Region Third Team in her freshman year.
Hailey Toney was phenomenal at the shortstop position, having just one error from March 7 to June 6. Toney also hit .323 with 63 hits, 14 doubles and seven homers. Toney was great in the WCWS recording a clutch home run against UCLA and a big double against Oklahoma to set up the winning RBI.
Desirae Spearman was named the 2024 CUSA Freshman and Player of the Year and is a two-time All-CUSA First Teamer and holds a 3.38 career ERA with 193 strikeouts while also slashing .398/.921/.540 with 38 home runs and 90 RBI for her career. Her .430 batting average this past season set a program record and her .606 on-base percentage and .977 slugging percentage were both ranked fifth in the country.
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