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.

Syracuse, N.Y. – The impact of changes in NCAA rules dominates most of this week’s Mailbox.

From the number of players allowed on a team’s roster to NIL, I think the questions are a sign of readers attempting to keep up with college basketball’s new landscape.

In fact, the nature of the questions indicate that some readers are doing a great job of staying on top of the game’s changes.

I’m hoping my answers can help in that respect, too.

If you have questions for the Mailbox; on any subject, send them to mwaters@syracuse.com.

Q: When does 12 players become too many? Only five can play.

Kevin S.

Mike: This is a question that all college coaches are having to ask themselves this year as the NCAA increased roster limits to 15 players.

As Kevin noted, only five players can start. Most coaches play a rotation of eight or nine players. Sometimes rotations get shortened to seven.

What coaches wrestle with is how to keep the players outside the main rotation happy. Are the guys at the end of the bench going to be team players or will they show signs of discontent?

I’m of the opinion that keeping everyone happy is tough enough with 11 or 12 scholarship players. There’s no way a coach is building a roster of 15 scholarship players and keeping them all happy.

Syracuse coach Adrian Autry currently has 12 players on the Orange’s roster for the 2025-26 season. The number includes two returning players (JJ Starling and Donnie Freeman), six transfers (Nait George, William Kyle, Nate Kingz, Ibrahim Souare, Tyler Betsey and Bryce Zephir) and four incoming freshmen (Kiyan Anthony, Sadiq White, Luke Fennell and Aaron Womack).

There’s a chance that Autry could add one more player to the roster, but I wouldn’t be surprised if what we see now is what we’ll get in November.

The remaining three roster spots will probably go to players that were previously walk-ons.

Q: Unless you’re a once-in-a-generation recruit who wins it all like Carmelo did in 2003, is it becoming almost impossible for players to have their numbers retired these days? Excluding members of the 2003 championship team, it seems like everyone from Sherman Douglas to John Wallace and Dave Bing had long, illustrious careers at Syracuse. But with so many players now transferring or leaving after just a year or two, I’m not sure how many will meet that standard moving forward.

Paul B.

Mike: Paul makes an interesting point. College basketball is definitely changing. Players rarely stay at one school for four years anymore.

If you look at the players whose jerseys have been honored and are on display in the JMA Dome’s rafters, they’re all three- or four-year guys with the exception being Carmelo Anthony.

While we wait for SU officials to finally recognize Rudy Hackett and then eventually honor the likes of Stephen Thompson and Preston Shumpert, among others, it’s a fair question to wonder whether we’ll have many candidates in the future.

Does SU honor Michael Carter-Williams, a two-year player and key member of the 2013 Final Four team? What about Jonny Flynn, another two-year player? Tyus Battle? Buddy Boeheim is probably a lock down the line.

Looking forward, while player movement will continue to be a thing, there may be a reason for players to stay in college (and perhaps remain at one school for four years) and that’s NIL. Players earning money through NIL is making college a legitimate alternative to turning pro.

Who knows? Maybe Kiyan Anthony’s Syracuse jersey winds up taking a spot next to his dad’s in the future.

Q: Somebody said on sports talk radio that they can’t imagine Steph Curry playing in any other uniform. That got me thinking. What Syracuse player played the most games in the NBA exclusively for one franchise?

Bill N.

Mike: Only a handful of players have spent their entire NBA careers with just one franchise. The short list would include the likes of David Robinson, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Dirk Nowitzki.

Some of the game’s greatest players played for more than one franchise. This includes names such as Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon.

The Syracuse players with the most notable and longest NBA careers, Carmelo Anthony, Danny Schayes, Dave Bing and Rony Seikaly, all played for multiple franchises.

The Syracuse player with the longest career spent with just one NBA franchise is Billy Gabor, whose entire seven-year NBA career was with the Syracuse Nationals.

After Gabor, Donte Greene played all four of his seasons in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings. Ironically, Greene was set to play for the Brooklyn Nets, but he suffered an off-season ankle injury before signing the contract.

He never played in the NBA again.

Contact Mike Waters anytime: Email|Twitter

The NIL Debate: Kirby Smart’s Stance Shakes the College Football Landscape

In the ever-evolving world of college football, where talent acquisition is as much about skill on the field as it is about the financial allure off it, Kirby Smart, the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, recently made waves with a candid expression of his views on the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies. His forthright statement, “I don’t want a freshman coming in and making more than a senior,” has ignited a significant discussion across the sports community, reflecting the complexities and challenges that NIL has introduced into college athletics.

A New Era in College Sports

The introduction of NIL rights marked a revolutionary shift in college sports, allowing athletes to profit from their personal brand for the first time. This change has not only opened doors for student-athletes to leverage their fame but has also introduced a new dynamic into the recruitment process, where financial considerations can weigh as heavily as athletic ones.

Kirby Smart’s Perspective

Smart’s comment underscores a growing concern among coaches: the potential for NIL deals to disrupt team dynamics and the traditional meritocracy of college sports. The essence of his argument lies in the fear that financial incentives could overshadow the hard-earned progress and seniority within a team, potentially leading to discord and a shift in focus from team achievements to individual gains.

The Ripple Effect

The reaction to Smart’s stance has been widespread, sparking debates on the fairness of NIL policies and their impact on the collegiate sports ecosystem. Critics argue that the ability for freshmen to earn more than their senior teammates through NIL deals could create inequalities and tensions within teams, challenging the cohesion and unity that are foundational to sports. On the other hand, proponents of NIL rights see this as a necessary evolution, aligning college sports more closely with professional leagues where talent and marketability dictate earnings.

Navigating Uncharted Waters

As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, coaches like Smart find themselves navigating a delicate balance. They must adapt to the new rules of engagement in recruiting, where financial incentives are increasingly influential, while also maintaining the integrity and competitive spirit of their teams. This challenge is not unique to Georgia but is a microcosm of the broader adjustments facing institutions across the NCAA.

Looking Ahead

Kirby Smart’s comments are a reflection of the broader dialogue surrounding NIL and its impact on college sports. As the dust settles on this latest controversy, it’s clear that the conversation is far from over. The integration of NIL into college athletics will continue to challenge traditional norms and require all stakeholders to adapt to a new reality where the lines between amateurism and professionalism are increasingly blurred.

In this new era, the ability of coaches, players, and institutions to navigate the complexities of NIL will be crucial in shaping the future of college sports. As we move forward, the hope is that a balance can be struck that preserves the integrity of collegiate competition while embracing the opportunities that NIL offers to student-athletes. Kirby Smart’s candid take on the issue may have stirred the pot, but it also serves as a vital part of the ongoing conversation about how to best integrate these new opportunities into the fabric of college sports.