Texas Tech University Athletics
Four Red Raiders named to USA Softball Top 50 Watch List
January 21, 2026 | Softball
Canady, Davis, Pannell and Terry named to USA Softball 2026 Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
LUBBOCK, Texas – USA Softball released its top 50 players to watch for the 2026 Collegiate Player of the Year award. The watch list features four Red Raiders including NiJaree Canady, Mihyia Davis, Taylor Pannell and Kaitlyn Terry.
Canady and Davis started the season on the watch list last year as Canady was one of three finalists for the award in 2025 after winning it in 2024. Terry was named to the watch list at the beginning of the 2025 season as well while at UCLA. Pannell also made the list last year on the top 25 watch list.
Canady was named the NFCA and Big 12 Pitcher of the Year last season and led the country in wins (34) as she led Texas Tech to the National Championship series. Canady led the team with 11 home runs and had an outstanding 1.11 ERA. She was a consensus First Team All-American, won the Honda Sport Award for Softball and was a top three finalist for the Player of the Year last season.
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 had a 14-game hitting streak which is tied for fourth longest.
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.
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.
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Canady and Davis started the season on the watch list last year as Canady was one of three finalists for the award in 2025 after winning it in 2024. Terry was named to the watch list at the beginning of the 2025 season as well while at UCLA. Pannell also made the list last year on the top 25 watch list.
Canady was named the NFCA and Big 12 Pitcher of the Year last season and led the country in wins (34) as she led Texas Tech to the National Championship series. Canady led the team with 11 home runs and had an outstanding 1.11 ERA. She was a consensus First Team All-American, won the Honda Sport Award for Softball and was a top three finalist for the Player of the Year last season.
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 had a 14-game hitting streak which is tied for fourth longest.
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.
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.
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