Sooners unanimous No. 1 in ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason top 25
The Oklahoma Sooners enter the season as the No. 1 team in the nation following a 61-1 season and third straight national championship.
Though they lost a number of impact players off of last year’s squad, they still feature some of the best that college softball has to offer. With Jayda Coleman, Tiare Jennings, Kinzie Hansen and Alyssa Brito at the plate and Nicole May and Kelly Maxwell in the circle, the Sooners have a ton of star power that gives the Sooners a chance to do something that’s never been done before; win four consecutive national titles.
They’ll face challenges from across the country, but the Oklahoma Sooners have had a target on their back for years and continue to fend off all comers.
Who are the teams that are expected to be the biggest threats to the Queens of Softball’s crown? Here’s a look at the preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball top 25.
Oklahoma Sooners
𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 is 🔑
Learn more about our defense on episode two of Championship Mindset, live on https://t.co/RrgGf7q5rm and ESPN+ ‼️
🖥 https://t.co/raowdEUTDx
📺 https://t.co/tHYZmGmXKd#ChampionshipMindset | @MidFirst pic.twitter.com/Jjfbktsc9k— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 61-1
NCAA Tournament Finish: Women’s College World Series Champion
Tennessee Volunteers
Got four players earning @D1Softball Preseason Top 100 honors! pic.twitter.com/14zb68vMW4
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball) January 18, 2024
2023 Record: 51-10
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Women’s College World Series
Stanford Cardinal
Another set of honors rolls in…
NiJa and Taryn check in at 4⃣ and 1⃣2⃣ in the @SoftbalAmerica Preseason Top 100 list.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/7S83Mv22pN
— Stanford Softball (@StanfordSball) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 47-15
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Women’s College World Series
Florida State Seminoles
All smiles for a new week 😁#Team41 pic.twitter.com/kT70qFFERG
— Florida State Softball 🥎 (@FSU_Softball) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 58-11
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Women’s College World Series Championship
Texas Longhorns
1⃣ of just 4⃣ Division I softball programs with 5⃣ student-athletes on the list 🤘#HookEm | @SoftbalAmerica pic.twitter.com/tGc5sqXMIQ
— Texas Softball (@TexasSoftball) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 45-15-1
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Knoxville Super Regional
Georgia Bulldogs
#DGD 🐶❤️🖤🤍 https://t.co/ESacoBUPsJ pic.twitter.com/BN1QL3KqeG
— Georgia Softball (@UGASoftball) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 42-15
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Tallahassee Super Regional
Clemson Tigers
Adding a couple additional preseason player rankings to her resume:
No. 1 on D1Softball's Pitcher rankings
No. 4 on Softball America's Pitcher rankings pic.twitter.com/XrJrkScTQR— Clemson Softball 🥎 (@clemsonsoftball) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 49-12
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Norman Super Regional
UCLA Bruins
The Bruins always do media day right 🫧🐻☔️📸#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/5NZ6UKbPPa
— UCLA Softball (@UCLASoftball) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 52-7
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Los Angeles Regional
Duke Blue Devils
More preseason accolades ✨😈
Congrats to AG, Cass, D & Aminah on being named to the @SoftbalAmerica Top 100 Players list! pic.twitter.com/Sye2rCVVcK
— Duke Softball (@DukeSOFTBALL) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 48-12
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Durham Super Regional
Washington Huskies
🏈🤝🥎 pic.twitter.com/ISzchw2uIR
— Washington Softball (@UWSoftball) January 8, 2024
2023 Record: 44-15
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Women’s College World Series
Oklahoma State Cowgirls
No class = ALLL the smiles 🤩#GoPokes pic.twitter.com/f5Cequrvv5
— OSU Cowgirl Softball (@cowgirlsb) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 47-16
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Women’s College World Series
Arkansas Razorbacks
Lights. Camera. Action. pic.twitter.com/EXzuwExS8b
— Arkansas Razorback Softball (@RazorbackSB) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 40-19
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Fayetteville Regional
Oregon Ducks
One of the best behind the plate!
Can't wait to see what @EmmaKauf does this season.#GoDucks | #Version6 pic.twitter.com/FN0UBmDmPf
— Oregon Softball (@OregonSB) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 38-17
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Stillwater Super Regional
Alabama Crimson Tide
Some preseason love for the fifth-year senior👀🦫@kaylabeaverr x @SoftbalAmerica #Team28 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/quEy6Walv4
— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 45-22
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Women’s College World Series
LSU Tigers
Custom @EvoShield guards for every player!
Be on the lookout throughout the season to see how each player customized their EvoShields this season.#DealUsIn pic.twitter.com/tAiGB8PFda
— LSU Softball (@LSUsoftball) January 19, 2024
2023 Record: 42-17
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Baton Rouge Regional
Utah Utes
🥎 @maariahlenaee checks in at #️⃣1️⃣4️⃣ on @SoftbalAmerica’s preseason pitcher rankings.#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/LQruFhSN9u
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 42-16
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Women’s College World Series
Nebraska Cornhuskers
New week, new preseason honors for these two Huskers.@jordybahl & @billieandrews were named to the @SoftbalAmerica Top 100 Players list❗️ pic.twitter.com/pl7lY48sar
— Nebraska Softball (@HuskerSoftball) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 36-22
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Stillwater Regional
Florida Gators
On notice.
Softball America Preseason Top 100 ✨#GoGators pic.twitter.com/gtC42VqpGe
— Gators Softball (@GatorsSB) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 38-22
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Salt Lake City Regional
Baylor Bears
better every day. #SicEm 🐻🥎 pic.twitter.com/vfuKMrsAt5
— Baylor Softball (@BaylorSoftball) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 40-18
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Salt Lake City Regional
Auburn Tigers
One of the BEST in the nation in the circle 🔥💪
But, we already knew that 😎#WarEagle | @SoftbalAmerica pic.twitter.com/wJnGR0uc6u
— Auburn Softball (@AuburnSoftball) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 43-19
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Clemson Regional
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗡𝗘 👏
Now 3️⃣ national rankings with the 𝗡𝗼. 𝟮𝟭 spot in the ESPN/USA Softball Top 25 preseason poll.#GeauxCajuns pic.twitter.com/IUqA2S227y
— Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns® Softball (@RaginCajunsSB) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 50-16
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Seattle Super Regional
South Carolina Gamecocks
𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 🎤https://t.co/BUuZHnq2UB
2024 season tickets are on sale now, get yours today!
🎟️ https://t.co/43XUVmCTeg pic.twitter.com/JVfzvwGJSD— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) December 7, 2023
2023 Record: 40-22
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Tallahassee Regional
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Emmas land spots on @SoftbalAmerica Preseason Top 100 Players list!
No. 39 – Emma Lemley
No. 81 – Emma Ritter pic.twitter.com/i9SZnbcTW4— Virginia Tech Softball (@HokiesSoftball) January 22, 2024
2023 Record: 39-20
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Athens Regional
Texas A&M Aggies
No surprise here 😏
» No. 1 in the SEC
» No. 6 in the Nation@SoftbalAmerica | #GigEm pic.twitter.com/AMAx5qmlo6— Texas A&M Softball (@AggieSoftball) January 23, 2024
2023 Record: 35-21
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Austin Regional
Northwestern Wildcats
2023 Record: 42-13
NCAA Tournament Finish: Eliminated in Tuscaloosa Super Regional
