No. 5 Florida State softball (49-10) has a million reasons to focus on Texas Tech (48-12) star pitcher NiJaree Canady in the super regional of the NCAA tournament.

After playing her first two years at Stanford, the Topeka native cashed in and signed with the Red Raiders. As Texas Tech is making its first appearance in the super regional, this is not Canady’s first rodeo.

Her elite pitching and experience in the Women’s College World Series make her tough to beat when she steps into the circle. Here’s more on Canady.

FSU softball vs. Texas Tech in Super regional

How much is NiJaree Canady making?

According to ESPN, Canady signed a one-year NIL contract worth $1,050,024. The $1 million is given directly to Canady. $50,000 goes to her cost of living, and the $24 goes to her jersey number. Canady has the highest NIL deal for college softball.

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NiJaree Canady 2025 season stats

In the circle, Canady has a .92 ERA, which is ranked second in the country. She is also ranked fourth with 272 strikeouts and a 28-5 record. At the plate, she is batting .316 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI.

More: Why Florida State Seminoles softball’s Ashtyn Danley is ready for another deep NCAA run

Where was NiJaree Canady before Texas Tech?

Before transferring from Texas Tech, Canady was at Stanford. At the time, she led the country with 337 strikeouts and a 0.73 ERA.

In her first two seasons, she was 41-10 with a 0.67 ERA. Stanford lost to Texas in the final four of the College World Series.

More: FSU softball 2025 WCWS super regional tickets: Prices, how to buy tickets

What NiJaree Canady said about facing FSU softball

Canady praised FSU’s batting lineup during Wednesday’s press conference.

“They are really good, one through nine,” Canady said.

“I think that’s what makes them really good. I feel like their one through nine hitters are really good and stacked. There’s really not a place where you can relax. As a pitcher, I’m looking at that and knowing that it’s going to be a good matchup.”

FSU has a .353 batting average, which is fifth in the country and sixth with 420 RBI. FSU also has 83 home runs and a .591 slugging percentage.

More: FSU softball’s Lonni Alameda gives update on her cancer treatment: Human kindness keeps her going

How FSU softball will be preparing for NiJaree Canady

Here’s what FSU softball’s Isa Torres, Lonni Alameda said about Texas Tech

On the night before super regional, FSU softball’s shortstop Isa Torres and head coach Lonni Alameda discuss about preparing for Texas Tech.

Florida State faced Canady before. Last year, when she was with Stanford, the Seminoles won 4-0. At Wednesday’s press conference, FSU head coach Lonni Alameda described Canady as a unicorn with her pitching velocity and movement.

“Her rise ball is elite, but she added a change-up and some down pitches as she continues to grow,” Alameda said.

“Based on her ERA, I would say she is tough to get some runs off of, and I think she is a real good competitor with her teammates.”

Shortstop Isa Torres also recalled facing the All-American last year and mentioned monitoring her this season to see where she has improved.

“She is definitely a tough one,” Torres said.

“We obviously had to commit to a plan, prepare for her as a great pitcher that she is. We went out there and took care of business.”

More: How did FSU softball’s Isa Torres become an elite shortstop? By not caring about awards

How to watch FSU softball vs. Texas Tech in Super regional

• When: Thursday, May 22, 7 p.m./ Friday, May 23, 3 p.m./ Saturday, May 24, TBD
• Where: Seminole Softball Complex / Tallahassee, Florida
• Watch: ESPN2

Watch FSU in NCAA Super Regionals on Fubo with free trial

If you were hoping to see Otega Oweh make his NBA Draft decision before the withdrawal deadline, I’ve got some bad news for you.

NBA Draft consultant Rafael Barlowe told Jacob Polacheck he believes the Kentucky Wildcats standout won’t make a final decision until the May 28th deadline. So just like last year when Kentucky had to sweat out Jaxson Robinson’s decision until the very end, it looks like the same will happen with Oweh.

This would align with what Oweh recently said about his upcoming decision, suggesting he plans to have as many private workouts with teams as possible before making the call.

“I believe I’m a first round guy. I’m just gonna go through all these workouts, give it my all, then when it’s all said and done, I’ll see where I’m at, and I’ll make that decision,” said Oweh.

It’s normal for players to have workouts with teams even on the day of the withdrawal deadline, so it appears Oweh will make his pitch to as many NBA teams as possible in hopes of being a first-round pick in this year’s draft.

The good news for Kentucky is it can offer Oweh an NIL package that would be more than a late first-round or early second-round selection would net him.

For what it’s worth, none of the major NBA Mock Draft projections currently have Oweh even listed as a second-round pick. It only takes one team to buy in, but so far, that team has yet to emerge.

Let’s just hope this isn’t another Jaxson Robinson scenario in which Oweh waits until after the deadline to announce his decision, or a Hamidou Diallo scenario in which the announcement comes at midnight.

The withdrawal deadline is 11:59 PM ET on May 28th.

The stage for the 2025 NCAA softball super regionals is set, and it is full of talent. A few of the nation’s best hitters and pitchers across the remaining 16 teams are looking for a shot at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

No. 2-seed Oklahoma will host a No. 15-seed Alabama team that looks to spoil the Sooners’ five-peat quest with its talented roster. And No. 5-seed Florida State and No. 12-seed Texas Tech will lean on star power in its matchup.

This year’s top seeds aren’t the only ones with loaded squads. Nebraska has one of the best two-way players in the country, and Liberty rides into the weekend fresh off its historic regionals performance.

From aces to powerful sluggers to pesky defenders, here are the must-watch players on every remaining super regionals team.

Jump to a super regional:
Tallahassee | Austin | Gainesville
Columbia | Norman | Knoxville
Fayetteville | Eugene

Tallahassee Super Regional

No. 12 Texas Tech at No. 5 Florida State (Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2)

Canady was primarily known for her dominance in the circle in her first two seasons at Stanford — and rightfully so. Now, in her first season at Texas Tech, Canady is excelling behind the plate, too. She leads the Red Raiders with 10 home runs and a .716 slugging percentage. The reigning USA Collegiate Player of the Year and top-three finalist for this year’s award also boasts the second-best ERA in the nation (0.92) with 272 strikeouts.

Isa Torres, INF, Florida State

In 58 starts, Torres leads the Seminoles with a .448 batting average thanks to her 95 hits — third most in the nation. She has also made her mark as a power hitter with nine homers and a .656 slugging percentage. On defense, she has solidified herself as one of the best shortstops in the nation. Torres has a .963 fielding percentage with just seven errors and 72 putouts.

Austin Super Regional

No. 11 Clemson at No. 6 Texas (Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2)

Maddie Moore, INF, Clemson

Moore ranks top-two in almost every offensive category for the Tigers. She has a team-high 16 home runs and 66 RBIs — a single-season record for Clemson. She ranks second behind Alex Brown with a .417 batting average and 75 hits. She’s also a speedster with 51 career stolen bases — the most in Clemson history.

Reese Atwood, C, Texas

Atwood is once again excellent in the batter’s box for the Longhorns. She leads the nation with 84 RBIs after recording 90 RBIs last season. She seeks to become the fourth player in Division I softball history to have multiple seasons with 90-plus RBIs. Atwood played a big role in helping Texas make it through the Austin Regional; she had 13 RBIs and three home runs across three games last weekend.

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Reese Atwood blasts a home run

Reese Atwood (Texas) with a Spectacular Hit Michigan, 05/17/2025

Gainesville Super Regional

Georgia at No. 3 Florida (Friday at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN2)

Taylor Shumaker, OF, Florida

Shumaker is the most powerful hitter on the Gators’ roster with 21 home runs and a .817 slugging percentage. She’s tied for the second-most RBIs (83) and fifth-most runs (70) in the nation. According to ESPN Research, Shumaker needs four more RBIs to pass Jocelyn Erickson (86 in 2024) for the most in a season in Florida history, and she has her sights on becoming the third freshman in Division I softball history to record 90 RBIs. It’s hard to believe that Shumaker is just a freshman with those numbers.

Jaydyn Goodwin, INF/OF, Georgia

In 58 starts, Goodwin has bested all of her previous career highs on offense. She boasts a .344 batting average and leads the team with 11 home runs and 62 hits. In the Durham Regional finale, Goodwin smashed an eighth-inning leadoff homer to help keep the Bulldogs’ season alive.

Columbia Super Regional

No. 9 UCLA at No. 8 South Carolina (Friday at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2)

Jordan Woolery, INF, UCLA

Woolery is in the midst of the best season of her career. She has hit 22 homers, 82 RBIs with a .423 batting average. The Big Ten All-First Team selection also boasts a .513 on-base percentage — the Bruins’ second-best mark — in 62 starts. Woolery’s a dangerous pairing with Megan Grant, who both have a combined 161 RBIs this season — the most by a UCLA duo in a season in program history.

Arianna Rodi, INF, South Carolina

The Gamecocks are fresh off a Columbia Regional in which they outscored opponents 16-2. Rodi is a part of why South Carolina is one of the hottest-hitting teams in the nation. Her 17 home runs are a single-season South Carolina record, with 12 go-ahead dingers. She also leads the program with 53 RBIs in 146 at-bats.

Norman Super Regional

No. 15 Alabama at No. 2 Oklahoma (Friday at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2)

Audrey Vandagriff, OF, Alabama

Vandagriff has brought speed to Tuscaloosa. The freshman ranks second in the nation with 50 stolen bases, and her .507 on-base percentage leads the team. She also boasts a .406 batting average with 69 hits and tops off her stats with six home runs.

Sam Landry, RHP, Oklahoma

After the Sooners graduated last year’s ace, Kelly Maxwell, they needed someone to step up. And Landry, a transfer from Louisiana, has done just that. In 160⅔ innings pitched, she leads the team with a 2.00 ERA and 165 strikeouts. The 2025 SEC Newcomer of the Year also helped Oklahoma to a 22-4 record when in the circle.

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Sam Landry highlights trust in her Oklahoma teammates

After the No. 2 Sooners’ win over Boston, Landry discusses how she was able to “work through the zone” and attack hitters because she can rely on the defense behind her.

Knoxville Super Regional

Nebraska at No. 7 Tennessee (Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2)

Jordy Bahl, RHP/UTL, Nebraska

The season that Bahl is having is incredible. She powered her way back to the diamond after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in 2024, and now she’s a top-three finalist for USA Collegiate Player of the Year and was the first player to be named Big Ten Player and Pitcher of the Year in the same season. Behind the plate, she broke Nebraska’s single-season home run record (23) and is fifth in the nation with a .472 batting average. In the circle, her 1.58 ERA is good for ninth best and her 270 strikeouts are the fifth most in 186⅓ innings of work. Bahl joins Canady as one of the best two-way players in the game.

Karlyn Pickens, RHP, Tennessee

The Lady Volunteers flamethrower is one of softball’s most feared pitchers for good reason. Pickens made headlines earlier this college softball season for tossing a 78.2 mph strike — the fastest recorded pitch in softball history. She has the best ERA in the nation at 0.90 and ranks sixth with 252 strikeouts. She’s coming off an impressive regionals showing where she stifled the hot bats of Ohio State, the nation’s home run leader. In 9.0 innings of work against the Buckeyes, she didn’t give up a home run and allowed just five hits.

Fayetteville Super Regional

Ole Miss at No. 4 Arkansas (Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU)

Lexie Brady, C, Ole Miss

The Rebels are in the midst of a standout season. They’ve smashed a program-record 63 home runs — 11 in the Tucson Regional — and it’s Brady leading the way with a single-season record 16 homers. She’s also solid behind the plate; Brady owns a .987 fielding percentage with just four errors and 272 putouts.

Bri Ellis, INF, Arkansas

What Ellis has done in her senior season has been remarkable. The Razorbacks star has a career-high 26 home runs and 72 RBIs. The 2025 SEC Player of the Year has a 1.787 OPS, which ranks first nationally and is the third highest in a season since 2005 (in a minimum 100 at-bats) behind Georgia Tech’s Jen Yee (2.002 OPS in 2010) and Oklahoma’s Jocelyn Alo (1.881 OPS in 2022), according to ESPN Research.

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Arkansas’ Bri Ellis: ‘As long as there is a strike left its our game’

Ellis gives her teammates credit for stepping up and being effective in critical moments for the No. 4 Razorbacks in a game where she was walked four times.

Eugene Super Regional

Liberty at No. 16 Oregon (Friday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPNU)

Rachel Roupe, OF, Liberty

Liberty’s historic path to the super regionals couldn’t have happened without Roupe. In Games 6 and 7 of the Bryan-College Station Regional, she smashed nine RBIs and three home runs. And that was nothing new. Roupe is the commander of the Flames’ offense with a team-leading 23 homers and 73 RBIs. On defense, she boasts a .987 fielding percentage with just one error and 72 putouts.

Kai Luschar, OF, Oregon

Luschar is a speedster, sitting as the national leader in stolen bases with 58 on 65 attempts. The Ducks’ leadoff hitter and fifth-year senior set career highs in batting average (.412) and RBIs (21) in 59 starts.