Florida Gators softball signs #2 ranked recruiting class

By
Andrew Spivey
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida softball head coach Tim Walton announced the additions of Shayla Bahr, Kennedy Bradley, Nina Carcone, Liliana Escobar, Brooklyn Gidley, Avery Killian and Caroline Stanton to the program during National Signing Day on Wednesday.
“We are so excited about the signing of this 2026 high school graduation class,” Walton said. “This is one of the best signing classes in the country. Great people, championship experience, All-American potential, athleticism, versatility, and depth at all positions.  A signing class like this, brings excitement to the program for another great four years to come, as we work hard to continue competing for championships and getting to the College World Series.”
The 2026 signing class hails from across the country, with California, Georgia, Texas and Louisiana each represented this year.
The seven newest Gators rank as the No. 2 overall signing class in the nation by both Softball America<https://www.on3.com/rivals/rankings/team/softball/2026/> and D1Softball<https://d1softball.com/d1softball-signing-class-rankings-class-of-2026/>.
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Shayla Bahr
Hometown
Peachtree Corners, Ga.
B/T
L/R
Position
Outfield
High School
Wesleyan School
Travel Team
GA Impact Premier Taylor
More from Shayla:
“I chose Florida because it immediately felt like home. I love the culture and how every year they compete to win a national championship. I also chose to become a Gator because I know I will develop both as a player and a person.”
High School/Travel Ball:
  *   Ranks No. 13 <https://www.on3.com/college/florida-gators/softball/2026/commits/> for the 2026 signing class by Softball America
  *   2x Georgia A-AAA State Champion (2024, 2025)
  *   2x Georgia AAA State Champion (2022, 2023)
  *   Set new Wesleyan School record for career hits (204)
  *   2025 Georgia Dugout Club Player of the Year A-AAA
  *   2025 A-AAA Region Player of the Year
  *   2025 Georgia Dugout Club Senior All Star
  *   2024 5A Region Softball Player of the Year
  *   4x First team all-state and all-region selection (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Kennedy Bradley
Hometown
Melissa, Texas
B/T
R/R
Position
Infield
High School
Melissa
Travel Team
Texas Glory Gold Shelton
More from Kennedy:
“I chose Florida because from the moment I stepped on campus, I knew it was home. Being far from my own home, I wanted to feel warmth, support and a sense of belonging and that’s exactly what I found. I know I’ll be surrounded by people who push and support me to become the best person and player.”
High School/Travel Ball:
  *   Ranks No. 14 <https://www.on3.com/college/florida-gators/softball/2026/commits/> for the 2026 signing class by Softball America
  *   2024, 2025 Texas UIL 5A Division 1 Softball State Champions
  *   2025 Dallas Morning News All-Area Softball Player of the Year
     *   Finished junior season with a .518 batting average, 59 hits (39 for extra bases), 68 runs and 59 RBIs in 39 games
  *   2025 Max Preps High School First Team All-American
  *   2024 16U Alliance Nationals Co-Champion
Nina Carcone
Hometown
Woodstock, Ga.
B/T
R/R
Position
Infield
High School
Woodstock
Travel Team
GA Impact Premier Taylor
More from Nina:
“I chose UF because of the coaching staff, the girls on the team and how the program competes for a national championship almost every year. Florida is a winning program. I want to earn my degree, win a national champion and become an All-American athlete.”
High School/Travel Ball:
  *   Ranks No. 11 <https://www.on3.com/college/florida-gators/softball/2026/commits/> for the 2026 signing class by Softball America
  *   2025 Premier Girls Fastpitch All American
  *   2024 GADC Peach State Player of the Year
  *   2024 Region Player of the Year
  *   2024, 2025 All-State selection
Liliana Escobar
Hometown
Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
B/T
R/R
Position
Pitcher
High School
JSerra Catholic
Travel Team
OC Batbusters Legacy Stith
More from Liliana:
“I chose Florida both for the academics and athletics. I created a great connection with the coaching staff, especially Coach Walton. I love how they treat their athletes and the beautiful softball facility. I’m so excited to be a Gator.”
High School/Travel Ball:
  *   2025 CIF-SS Division 2 Player of the Year
  *   2025 Orange County Register Pitcher of the Year
     *   Held a 14-5 record in the circle with a 1.20 ERA and 239 strikeouts in 140 innings as a junior
  *   2025 Trinity League Pitcher of the Year
  *   2023 Alliance Fastpitch National Champion
Brooklyn Gidley
Hometown
College Station, Texas
B/T
L/R
Position
Infield
High School
A&M Consolidated
Travel Team
Texas Bombers Gold Smith
More from Brooklyn:
“I chose Florida because of the coaching staff, academic opportunities and the overall environment. Every one made it feel like home and I can’t wait to compete with some of the best players in the country.”
High School/Travel Ball:
  *   Ranks in the top-30<https://www.on3.com/college/florida-gators/softball/2026/commits/> for the 2026 signing class by Softball America
  *   2025 Texas UIL 5A All-State Honorable Mention
  *   2024 18u Alliance Fastpitch Tier 1 National Champion
  *   14u, 16u & 18u Alliance Fastpitch Tier 1 National Championship All-Tournament Team
  *   2x Premier Girls Fastpitch National Champion
Avery Killian
Hometown
Metairie, La.
B/T
R/R
Position
Catcher
High School
Mount Carmel Academy
Travel Team
Georgia Impact Premier Taylor
More from Avery:
“I chose Florida because as soon as I stepped on campus for the first time it felt like home. The softball program is amazing and so if the school itself. My goal is to be the best softball player and person I can be and to win a national title.”
High School/Travel Ball:
  *   Ranks in the top-100<https://www.on3.com/college/florida-gators/softball/2026/commits/> for the 2026 signing class by Softball America
  *   3x All District 9-5A selection
  *   2025 Sports Illustrated All-State Softball Team selection
  *   2x USA Softball High Performance Program Top Performer (HPP)
Caroline Stanton
Hometown
Buford, Ga.
B/T
R/R
Position
Pitcher
High School
Buford
Travel Team
Texas Bombers Gold Smith
More from Caroline:
“I chose the University of Florida to both win championships and earn my degree. I want to have a great college experience and meet new people while becoming the best version of myself.”
High School/Travel Ball:
  *   Ranks as the No. 1 recruit<https://www.on3.com/rivals/rankings/player/softball/2026/> in the 2026 signing class by Softball America
  *   3x Class 6A State Champion (2022, 2023 & 2025)
  *   2025 WBSC U-18 World Cup Finals Gold Medalist
     *   Tossed 17.0 innings with 10 strikeouts and two earned runs allowed for a 0.82 ERA
     *   Named Best Defensive Player
  *   Holds the Buford High School single-game strikeout record (20)
  *   3x Max Preps First Team All-American
  *   3x First team All-State selection
  *   2024 MaxPreps Georgia Player of the Year
  *   2024 Alliance Fastpitch National Champion
Andrew Spivey
Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.