The 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year race is heating up, and this year’s list is packed with elite hitters, dominant pitchers and powerful two-way talents. From power-hitting sluggers and dominant two-way players to record-breaking aces, the top-25 finalists include names who’ve delivered all season long. With conference tournaments around the corner, here’s a deeper look at six players who have made especially strong cases through the end of April.
*Stats below are through April 30, 2025.
2025 Player of the Year finalist stats
| PLAYER | TEAM | POSITION | AVG | HR | RBI | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reese Atwood | Texas | C | .413 | 16 | 65 | - | - |
| Taylor Shumaker | Florida | OF | .365 | 16 | 71 | - | - |
| Sam Landry | Oklahoma | P | - | - | - | 1.95 | 136 |
| NiJaree Canady | Texas Tech | P | .299 | 7 | 25 | 0.88 | 220 |
| Karlyn Pickens | Tennessee | P | - | - | - | 1.02 | 210 |
| Kasidi Pickering | Oklahoma | OF | .431 | 13 | 44 | - | - |
Reese Atwood, C – Texas
TEXAS WITH A WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM 😤
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork)
Reese Atwood goes DEEP 💥
Atwood might be the most feared hitter in the country. The junior catcher leads Texas with a .413 batting average, 16 home runs and 65 RBIs (the latter ranking among the national leaders) and continues to shine in big moments. Her most iconic swing of the season came on April 17 against LSU, when she crushed a walk-off grand slam to become the first player in Longhorn history to do so. A finalist for the award in 2024, Atwood is once again the centerpiece of a Texas offense that’s ranked among the nation’s best. Her consistency and ability to perform under pressure give her one of the most complete resumes in the country.
Taylor Shumaker, OF – Florida
If you’re looking for breakout star power, look no further than Taylor Shumaker. The freshman outfielder has taken the SEC by storm, hitting .365 with 15 home runs and her 71 RBIs are among the top marks in the SEC. Shumaker has already had multiple standout games, including a five-RBI performance in a comeback win over Alabama and a pair of multi-homer outings in February. She’s the engine of a Florida offense that entered the season 8-0 and transitioned into the final weeks of April ranked top-five nationally in scoring. While most of the spotlight has been on veterans this year, Shumaker has proven she's every bit in the Player of the Year conversation, and not just for Freshman of the Year.
Sam Landry, P – Oklahoma
Sam fans the side in the 6th 🔥
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball)
ℹ️»
Landry has flourished in her first season with Oklahoma, giving the Sooners a dominant arm alongside their loaded lineup. The Louisiana transfer boasts a 17-3 record with a 1.95 ERA and 136 strikeouts over 129 innings. She’s been rock-solid in conference play and delivered arguably her best performance of the year when the Sooners needed it most. Landry threw a complete game against Texas and gave up just two earned runs to take the opening game at Love's Field. Landry has quietly built one of the best resumes among pitchers this season, helping Oklahoma remain a top-10 team despite significant offseason changes. With her poise and consistency, she’s pitching like a veteran in the game’s most significant moments.
NiJaree Canady, P – Texas Tech
The reigning USA Softball Player of the Year hasn’t slowed down since transferring from Stanford to Texas Tech. NiJaree Canady leads the Ƶ with a 0.88 ERA and has racked up 220 strikeouts. She’s tossed a no-hitter (against Kansas), earned two Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors, and leads the nation in WHIP (0.74). She’s also contributed at the plate, hitting seven home runs with 25 RBIs in just 67 at-bats. Canady has continued to prove she’s more than a one-season wonder; her dominance in both roles makes her a unicorn in the sport. If she finishes strong, she could become the first repeat Player of the Year winner since Rachel Garcia.
Karlyn Pickens, P – Tennessee
Karlyn. Pickens.
— Tennessee Softball (@Vol_Softball)
Complete Game ✅
Shutout ✅
10 Ks ✅
200th K of the Season ✅
Another Dub ✅
Pickens has been nearly untouchable this season. The Tennessee ace holds a 20-6 record with a 1.02 ERA and 210 strikeouts, helping the Lady Vols stay in the SEC title hunt. She’s fired six shutouts and delivered 17 complete games — including two against then-No. 1 Texas in one weekend. Pickens also made Ƶ history in March by throwing the fastest recorded pitch ever at 78.2 mph. On top of the highlight reel, she’s a three-time NFCA Pitcher of the Week in April alone and the reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year. When she’s in the circle, Tennessee has a chance against anyone.
Kasidi Pickering, OF - Oklahoma
tack on another +1 with the sac fly!
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball)
Pickering has been a force at the top of Oklahoma’s lineup, hitting .431 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs while leading the Sooners in batting average, hits and slugging percentage. The sophomore outfielder tallied a career-best 16-game hitting streak from mid-March to mid-April and reached base safely in 15 consecutive plate appearances during that stretch. Her consistency and power earned her Softball America Star of the Week honors in early March, following a week in which she hit .467 with four home runs and 12 RBIs. A 2025 Preseason All-SEC selection, Pickering has elevated her game in every major offensive category compared to her standout freshman season and remains a key catalyst for the No. 1 team in the country.
