Macy Blackburn Named No. 3 Overall Player in Country by Top Drawer Soccer
Texas Tech Soccer senior captain Macy Blackburn was named a Top Drawer preseason All-American and the No. 3 overall player in their Top 100 rankings. Blackburn was previously named to the 2025 All-Big 12 preseason team as well and is the reigning Big 12 Defender of the Year, a two-time All-American and 2024 Mac-Hermann Award Semifinalist.
“It’s such an honor getting any recognition,” said Blackburn following the team’s practice on Wednesday. “I try not to let it get too much to my head because it’s preseason but you can’t do that without such a great team behind you. I’m just grateful but I’m more excited for this season. Nothing’s been done yet.”
Blackburn Has Overcome Adversity To Become One of the Best
This recognition comes as no surprise to her head coach or anyone around soccer as the Keller, Texas native is already a Texas Tech goat owning the all-time career assist record with a full season of eligibilty remaining. She set that record last season and finished the year with 33 career assists, passing the great Taylor Lytle in the process.
“I think the rest of the country has known about her for a while,” said head coach Tom Stone. “She’s a great leader, committed when she was in the 8th grade. An ambassador for this program and we’re just happy for her. She’s a very humble person, very confident on the field but off the field very humble.”
It hasn’t been the easiest journey for Blackburn either as she has overcome a couple injuries that stole a season and end of season runs from her. A big part of the DNA that makes her one of the elite players in the country though is how she attacked those setbacks.
“We’re just proud of Macy’s work,” continued Stone. “A fifth-year senior with two setbacks during her career. Just so proud of the way she’s returned to be her normal self. She didn’t want a big deal made out of her injury. She didn’t want everyone feeling sorry for her she just wanted to get on with it. She’s a very impatient person…in a good way. She doesn’t want to wallow in whatever bad mood of the day.”
Blackburn’s Choice to Return to Texas Tech Instead of Going Pro
It wasn’t always a given college soccer would be graced with one more year of Blackburn’s talent either as there were opportunities for her to head to the pro ranks after her second All-American nod in 2024.
“She spent the summer training with pro teams and got some great experience there,” said Stone. That’s where she’ll be going as soon as the season’s over. But Macy’s focused here. She probably could have left and gone and signed a contract somewhere and she’s like ‘Nope, I got work to do, I’m the captain. This is my team.'”
As a team captain, she has been impressed with the energy everyone has been bringing in training thus far. In past years Blackburn has talked about wanting freshmen to come in and be just like she was as a freshman “trying to steal a job.” That’s what builds a winning culture, something Texas Tech soccer prides itself in. When asked if she saw that energy in this year’s class of freshmen, she had this to say.
“We have some great freshmen that I think will make a big impact. Being a fifth-year and having been through the different trials and things, I’m not going to let someone take my spot. But that is always the goal. You want freshmen to come in and rock the boat and I think that’s the energy we got.”
Looking Ahead to Season Opener at San Diego State
She’s focused and ready to attack the season ahead, which starts on the road at San Diego State on Thursday for the No. 25 ranked Red Raiders. Outside of a getting good result on the field, true to her nature, she is most looking forward to using the trip to help bond a team with really big goals this year.
“Trips are so fun and that’s where everybody really gets close,” said Blackburn. “These are some of my best memories off the field. So I’m just excited to build those relationships.”
Fans can watch the team’s season opener at SDSU Thursday at 9 pm CT on the Mountain West Network. Then welcome the team back to Lubbock for their home opener Sunday night at 7 pm versus Youngstown State. BE THERE.
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