Big 12 Preseason Poll/Awards Released

NiJaree Canady and Mihyia Davis holding the Big 12 tournament championship trophy

January 28, 2026 | Softball

Red Raiders picked No. 1 and have seven representatives on All-Big 12 Team

By: Jay Strader

LUBBOCK, Texas – The Big 12 released its preseason poll and awards on Wednesday ahead of the 2026 season.

Texas Tech was picked as the unanimous No. 1 in the preseason poll for the first time in program history. Tech received all 10 of the possible first-place votes and 100 points overall after winning its first-ever Big 12 title last season. The Red Raiders have seven players represented on the All-Big 12 Preseason Team, most in the conference, led by two unanimous selections in NiJaree Canady and Mihyia Davis.

Canady and Davis are joined by Lauren Allred, Jasmyn Burns, Alana Johnson, Taylor Pannell and Kaitlyn Terry. Johnson was named an All-Big 12 First Team member last season while Allred was named to the second team. The seven players is most in program history for preseason selections.

Tech will open conference play in Houston on March 6.