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5 Under the Radar Transfer Classes

by: Jason Rhea01/30/26

The transfer portal has become the great equalizer in College Softball. The days of building your roster only from incoming recruits are a thing of the past. Whether it’s filling specific needs or overhauling the roster in totality, teams can put themselves in a position to not have to start over. Below are five teams that have roster additions through the portal that have them positioned to compete for Championships in 2026.

Oregon

The Ducks are coming off a 54-10 season in 2025, where they made it to the Women’s College World Series. They have a few big departures to replace in Paige Sinicki, along with Kedre and Kai Luschar. The speed, which is evident from 121 stolen bases between them, will be hard to replace. However, Oregon should have a little more power at the plate in 2026.

2026 Oregon Preview

Oregon brings in Addison Amaral, Elon Butler, and Amari Harper to replace that production. Amarall figures to be a plug-and-play at the shortstop position. She won’t provide the same level of defense and speed. However, her nine home runs and 43 RBIs will be a welome addition. Butler and Harper should settle into outfield spots. Butler brings in 37 career home runs with a .361 batting average from last year. Finally, Harper enjoyed her best season last year with eight home runs, a .421 batting average, and added 51 RBIs.

Alabama

The Crimson Tide didn’t have a ton of work to do in the transfer portal. However, they got exactly what they needed. With the graduation of emotional leader Kali Hevilin as well as infielder Brooke Ellestad, Alabama needed some help on the infield, which they got with Brooke Wells from Houston and Jena Young from Iowa.

2026 Alabama Preview

Wells was one of the few bright spots for Houston in her freshman campaign last year. She hit .341 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs. She will be a prime contender for that third base slot or could be the designated player for the Tide. Young was a two-time all-Big 10 selection at second base for the Hawkeyes and should slide into that spot for Alabama. While she might not have the same power as Hevilin, the all-around game of Young should fit in quite nicely.

Mississippi State

SEC teams don’t normally grab six transfers and have them all be prepared to help immediately, but that’s exactly what the Bulldogs pulled off. The additions of Peja Goold, Alyssa Faircloth, and Leila Ammon made it clear the priority was to strengthen their bullpen. Additionally, Tatum Silva, Anna Carder, and Des Rivera should help at Catcher and in the outfield.

2026 Mississippi State Preview

Goold appears to be primed to be the ace of the staff. The two-time Southern Conference pitcher of the year comes in with a 1.69 ERA at Chattanooga last year. Faircloth comes over from Troy, where she had a 2.87 ERA and was a 15-game winner. Finally, in her freshman season, Ammon was an all-CUSA performer with a 3.11 ERA in just 56.1 innings of play.

North Carolina

The Tar Heels made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. That success has driven North Carolina to a big offseason of talent acquisition that could prove beneficial this season. They do lose one of the best hitters in softball with the graduation of Kat Rodriguez. However, with four new position players through the portal, they appear to be uniquely positioned to fill that production by committee.

2026 North Carolina Preview

Carly Maxton and Kendall Frost come over to provide depth to the bullpen. The North Carolina State and East Carolina additions will provide support to returning ace Kenna Raye Dark. Reagan Jennings, Emily LeGette, Michele Tarpey, and MC Eaton all have a chance to contribute immediately. If North Carolina can get the production they are looking for, the Tar Heels should have a repeat trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Arizona State

Arizona State was somewhat of a surprise team in 2025. Megan Bartlett’s club made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021. Kenzie Brown was one of the best pitchers in the country last season. But the Sun Devils didn’t have a ton of depth behind her. Bartlett brought in six transfers in what should be their best team since she’s been there.

2026 Arizona State Preview

Aissa Silva makes the trip over from Tucson to help Brown and Meika Lauppe from a depth perspective in the circle. Silva only threw 26 innings last season, but was a 21-game winner with a 3.27 ERA in 2024. Kaylee Pond and Emily Schepp should be instant impact players for Arizona State this season, with Pond patrolling the outfield and Schepp battling for the starting catcher position.

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