Texas Tech Softball Transfer Class Deep Dive With Insight From Softball America's Brady Vernon
After finishing as the National Runner Up in year one of the Gerry Glasco era, Texas Tech softball has brought in a loaded transfer class for the second straight offseason. This time in the form of seven players in the Top 30 according to On3 | Softball America’s transfer rankings – with four residing in the top seven alone. Included are Jasmyn Burns, Kaitlyn Terry, Mia Williams, Taylor Pannell, Jackie Lis, Desirae Spearman and Lagi Quirogo.
In addition to a summary of each of the moves made thus far, Shelby Hilliard from Red Raider Sports caught up with On3 | Softball America’s managing editor himself Brady Vernon to get the national perspective on each of the transfers.
Want to discuss this article and Texas Tech softball’s transfer class with Red Raiders? Join the conversation here.
Kaitlyn Terry | So., LHP/OF | UCLA | 2024 Pac-12 Freshman of Year
UCLA starting pitcher Kaitlyn Terry (55) tosses to first for a force out in the fourth inning during a softball game between UCLA and Oregon at the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 29, 2025. © NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
Kaitlyn “KT” Terry was part of a three-headed pitching monster for UCLA this past season where she finished the year with a 2.65 ERA and 172 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched. A two-way player, Terry also added 24 RBI off two home runs and seven doubles at the plate while stealing nine bases playing in the outfield when not pitching. Her efforts helped lead the Bruins to the 2025 Women’s College World Series (WCWS), falling just short of a national semifinal appearance.
A true athlete, Terry broke onto the scene in 2024 when she was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year while also earning First-Team All-Pac 12 honors. Joining the Big 10 in 2025, Terry had 17 games with at least five strikeouts and notched season highs of 13 versus Nebraska and 14 versus Michigan.
This lefty isn’t scared of anyone and shows that fiery competitiveness in the circle, the field and at the plate every game. A trait that was on display this past weekend when she pitched a solid 2.2 innings versus Team USA in the USA Softball All-Star Showcase.
What Does Terry Bring To Texas Tech Softball in 2026?
Depth & Fire. That fire is going to fit right in with her new running mate and fellow USA Softball Showcase All-Star NiJaree Canady in the circle. Glasco has stated that the goal for 2026 is to have Canady to throw less innings, more in the 150-170 range to be exact. Adding an experienced ace to the mix with Terry should do that and more. Especially with rising sophomore LHP Samantha Lincoln helping bolster what has potential to become one of the best trio of pitchers in the country if Lincoln develops the way the staff expects. Add in returning senior Chloe Riassetto who worked as the team’s No. 2 last season plus incoming transfer Desirae Spearman that has two-way capabilities herself, and there is no shortage of talent in the Texas Tech bullpen.
Industry Expert Opinion on Terry:
Terry is the best arm that has been paired with NiJaree Canady since Canady’s freshman year at Stanford, when the Cardinal also had Alana Vawter. Terry is a perfect complement from the left side. She can work up and down the zone with her rise and dropball combination. Terry has two years of eligibility remaining and can be the team’s ace in 2027 following Canady’s graduation. Anything she adds with her bat is truthfully cherry on top to what she gives Texas Tech in the circle.
Brady Vernon | Softball America
The theme for Texas Tech’s offensive additions is that they can all change the game with one swing. Canady and Terry don’t need a ton of run support, but having more home run hitters when one or two runs is enough to win games adds a different layer that the Red Raiders didn’t have last season. Canady was the lone player to hit double-digit home runs in their national runner-up finish.
Vernon and Softball America rank Terry No. 3 overall in their transfer portal rankings.
Taylor Pannell | So., 3B/OF | Tennessee | 2025 All-American 3B
Taylor Pannell nabbed both Softball America and NFCA All-American honors in 2025 after leading Tennessee in batting average, hits and RBI. She also finished Top 10 in the SEC in each of those categories as well, ending her sophomore season with a .398 average, 13 doubles, 2 triples, 16 home runs and 65 RBI.
A former Top Five player in the Class of 2022, Pannell is the purest hitter of this transfer class – evident by her ranking 15th in the nation in wRC (an estimate of the number of runs a player contributes to their team.) This was never more on display than at the 2025 WCWS where she went 3-for-4 versus Oklahoma in the team’s opening round game and went on to carry the team to victory in their elimination game win over UCLA where she had a 2-run home run in the fifth to tie it and eventually would be the winning run in extras to win it. They ultimately lost thereafter in the semifinals to Texas.
Pannell spent 2024 playing outfield but moved to her more natural third base spot in 2025 where she committed only six errors and led the Lady Vols in Defensive Runs Saved per Synergy at 8.95. With the departure of Bailey Lindemuth it would seem likely Pannell slots in at third for the Red Raiders, but having the versatility to move around if needed is always welcomed on Glasco coached teams.
What Does Pannell Bring To Texas Tech Softball in 2026?
Maturity and HITTING. Pannell has two years of eligibility remaining but she will be entering her fourth year of college while pursuing her Masters at Texas Tech having actually already graduated with her undergrad degree from Tennessee. This is due to an injury that ended her freshman season early and shaped her career from there. She credits this year off from the game and the subsequent grueling rehab for making her the person and hitter she is today. And what a hitter it is as she joins Lauren Allred on this team as two of the best pure hitters (especially situationally) in the Big 12 – quite the luxury amongst a number threats around them now as well.
Industry Expert Opinion on Pannell:
Pannell made the improvements you’d want as a second-year starter for Tennessee. She saw all her offensive numbers rise as she developed into an All-American. Pannell’s power numbers gained a lot of attention, but she had a big jump in her walks and her strikeout rate drop. She also offers infield / outfield versatility for Texas Tech.
Brady Vernon | Softball America
Vernon and Softball America rank Pannell No. 4 overall in their transfer portal rankings.
Jasmyn Burns | So., C/UTL | Ohio State | 2025 All-American C
Jasmyn “Jazzy” Burns earned NFCA First-Team All-American honors as a sophomore at Ohio State after a record setting 2025 in which she finished with a .455 batting average with 14 doubles, 25 home runs and 72 RBI. Her 25 bombs set a new Big 10 conference record for home runs in a single season and her 72 RBI were the most in Ohio State history.
Coming into college as a top 20 player from the Class of 2023 per Extra Innings Softball, Burns started every game for the Buckeyes her freshman season in 2024. She hit .298 with nine home runs and 37 RBI to earn all-region and Big 10 all-freshman honors.
A solid start to her career only shot up this past season in a breakout campaign for Burns. She notched career bests in multiple offensive categories and in addition to her All-American nod she was also a USA Softball Top 20 Player of the Year finalist.
What Does Burns Bring To Texas Tech Softball in 2026?
Power. Burns adds much needed pure power to a lineup that finished in the top 20 of runs scored despite only hitting 60 home runs in 2025, her 25 home runs were nearly half that alone. YAAAABOOOM! Adding power to the returning speed and chaos players like Mihyia Davis makes this lineup exponentially more dangerous.
Industry Expert Opinion on Burns:
Burns was a bit under recruited due to smaller stature as a catcher. She could always hit and that was on full display in her All-American season last year. Her ability to drive balls to every part of the field is one of her most impressive attributes.
Brady Vernon | Softball America
Vernon and Softball America rank Burns No. 6 overall in their transfer portal rankings.
Mia Williams | So., INF | Florida | 2025 All-American 2B
Mia Williams earned All-American honors from both Softball America and NFCA in 2025 as a sophomore after hitting .335 with 10 doubles, 19 home runs and 44 RBIs. Her numbers also earned Second-Team All-SEC honors as she helped the Gators to the No. 3 national seed and a 2025 WCWS appearance for the second season in a row.
A Perfect Game All-American in the Class of 2023, Williams entered college with a lot of expectations. It took some time to adjust however as she hit under .200 for much of the year. It was the postseason where her potential started to shine though when she earned SEC All-Tournament honors in 2024 and hit a game winning two-run home run in the Super Regionals to send the Lady Vols to the WCWS.
What Does Williams Bring To Texas Tech Softball in 2026?
Pop, Passion and Positional Need. Williams, like many in this transfer class, helps fill the power void with her 19 home runs which is the second most of incoming players behind Burns. After being named an All-American at second base for Florida, she is a likely candidate to fill the hole left by outgoing senior leader Alexa Langeliers who started almost every game there in 2025 for the Red Raiders. She also seems to bring a bit of a chip on her shoulder attitude and passion to the team that should fit in well with the West Texas Tough personality in Lubbock.
Industry Expert Opinion on Williams:
Mia Williams showed last season why she was once a top recruit in her class. Williams, at times, can be an all-or-nothing swinger, but Texas Tech will take 19 home runs and 30 total extra-base hits even if it comes with 30-plus strikeouts. There is still room for her to grow, coming off a breakout sophomore campaign.
Brady Vernon | Softball America
Vernon and Softball America rank Williams No. 7 in their transfer portal rankings.
Desirae Spearman | So., UTL/RHP | New Mexico State | 2024 CUSA Player of Year
Desirae Spearman, another two-way player, earned Conference Player of the Year and Freshman All-American honors in 2024 hitting .365 with 18 home runs, five doubles and 43 RBI to go along with 3.15 ERA across 84 innings in the circle. Sophomore slump never heard of it as Spearman set a new school record with a .430 batting average plus 20 home runs and 47 RBI in 2025.
In addition to NFCA All-Region honors, she was ranked the No. 64 player in D1 Softball’s Top 100 rankings and was named one of Softball America’s Top 5 best utility/two-way players in the country.
Spearman is a native of El Paso, Texas and is touted locally as one of, if not the best, players to ever come out of the area after being named a finalist for Max Preps National Player of the Year when she led the nation in home runs as a senior with 30.
What Does Spearman Bring To Texas Tech Softball in 2026?
Versatility and High Ceiling. Spearman is an exciting prospect because her true ceiling has yet to be discovered. A step up to the Big 12 with Texas Tech after dominating Conference USA the past two years at NMSU should give her the chance to do just that.
Tech is deep in the circle, so it’s likely Spearman is seen more as a hitter and utility player than a pitcher, but the versatility to do it all is invaluable. She can truly play almost any position on the diamond, spending most of her time in centerfield or at shortstop when not pitching for the Aggies. Taking into account who returns at each of those positions for Tech, she likely slots in to compete for a corner outfield spot with the Red Raiders in 2026.
Industry Expert Opinion on Spearman:
Spearman is one of the best pure athletes in our game. The ability to pitch, play shortstop and center field is nothing to balk at. My guess is that Spearman has more impact with the Red Raiders with her bat, but it never hurts to have another experience arm on the staff.
Brady Vernon | Softball America
Vernon and Softball America rank Williams No. 22 in their transfer portal rankings.
Lagi Quirogo | So., C/OF | Cal | 2025 First Team All-ACC
Isabel “Lagi” Quirogo tied for the Pac-12 lead in home runs as a freshman in 2024 to earn Softball America Freshman All-American honors and then added a more consistent bat at the plate in her sophomore year to be named to the All-ACC First Team. She finished this past season with a .346 batting average to go along with 13 doubles, 12 home runs and 44 RBI.
Her versatility is upper tier, evidence by the fact she played catcher for Cal but also led off at the plate – a combo you don’t often see. She led the team in runs scored (47) and hits (62) while finishing second on the team in total bases, RBI, doubles, home runs, walks and slugging percentage.
A true ATHLETE, the Los Angeles Native was once the No. 54 overall player in the Class of 2023 when she chose Cal over the likes of Texas, Oregon and Mississippi State. She was also a multi-sport athlete growing up, starring in volleyball, water polo as well as tackle football and rugby. Did I mention she is an ATHLETE?!
What Does Quiroga Bring To Texas Tech Softball in 2026?
Athleticism and Toughness. Quiroga is seen by this coaching staff as a player that has the athleticism to play any position on the field but pitch (let her cook though.) Primarily she realistically looks to compete for a spot in the lineup as an outfielder and catcher.
Watch her games and you will quickly see a player that isn’t afraid of the big moment or the smoke. Watch her yaaaaboooom then kiss it goodbye as she crosses second base to wave the home run out of the park. She has that about her and more, a toughness factor that will fit right in with a squad ready to compete for a national title in 2026.
Industry Expert Opinion on Lagi:
Quiroga is another athlete that has the natural power to change the game in one swing. She is another athlete that has plenty of experience behind the plate and can be a corner outfielder if needed. Lagi has a fiery, competitive edge to her game too.
Brady Vernon | Softball America
Vernon and Softball America rank Quirogo No. 25 in their transfer portal rankings.
Jackie Lis | Jr., INF | Southern Illinois | 2024 MVC Player of Year
Jackie Lis somehow broke the school record for home runs at Southern Illinois in only three seasons, ending her time there with 44 bombs, 141 RBI and a career .353 average. While they’ve all been good, her best season came in 2024 when she won Missouri Valley MVP honors accumulating a .344 average, 16 home runs, 9 doubles and 36 RBI.
Lis earned All-MVC honors every season as well as a Freshman All-American nod in 2023. She ended her career as a Saluki hitting .358 with eight doubles, 11 home runs and 48 RBI this past season as a junior. All of which should be no surprise since her aunt is in the Hall of Fame at SIU while both her father and grandfather played professional baseball – being a dawg in quite literally just in her DNA.
What Does Lis Bring To Texas Tech Softball in 2026?
Leadership & Hunger. The obvious answer as the career home run leader at SIU is power. Which she absolutely is yet another power bat coming to the team and will compete for playing time at numerous positions as well as pinch hits in big moments.
It’s the intangibles though that somehow impress the most with Lis. First it’s her hunger to win. It’s known how badly she wants to play in a World Series and joining a team full of athletes hungry, not just to get there but win the entire thing, is a perfect fit. Furthermore, she is very aware that Tech is in year two of a complete rebuild and she believes she can help with that both on and off the field. She wants to be a part of cementing a winning culture at Tech that the 2025 team started.
Also the Flex on ‘Em celly after every home run? Red Raider fans are going to be mimicking that in the stands by week two, WE LOVE IT!
Industry Expert Opinion on Lis:
Jackie Lis has been one of the most consistent and best Mid-Major stars the past few seasons. The former SIU shortstop has always made her presence on the field known in big-time games. Lis offers the most experience of the group coming into Lubbock, being a full-time starter since her freshman year.
Brady Vernon | Softball America
Vernon and Softball America rank Lis No. 30 in their transfer portal rankings.
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