(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

Got 2 outfield slots to fill already, not sure we want to move her and create a third. Townsend in center and McClellan or Lamar are it barring a portal move

 

And while we are talking about potential outfielders....what has happened with Cassidy? She has pretty much totally disappeared. Is she injured again? That kid has some talent and should be in the mix.

 

If Kendra's mom is anything like Kendra we should have to pay to watch it.

 

Good point. I really like the idea of nabbing a quality outfielder in the portal. So, who plays first if not Taylor?

 

Kylie Shaw has a ton of speed and a work ethic similar to Skylar. I don’t know how she is on defense or hitting. She might be an outside contender for an outfield position. I am just mentioning her. Right now, I would pick Cassidy over Kylie.

 

Arky is legit. Honestly, they scare me. After going 1-5 to start the SEC, they went 13-5 after that with series wins over Tennessee, A&M and LSU plus us.

 

Mia maybe……

 

Then we have to fill short and second. Looks like we could use an outfielder and an infielder in the portal.

 

We should make a run at Vandergriff from Bama, we have been lucky in the past grabbing Bama’s best players.

Or Savannah Groshong-Kirk from GCU, saw her play against us in Phoenix and she is legit.

 

I'd sell my first born and second born, and I don't have a second born, to get Vandagriff. I just doubt it. Appears she is stuck on Murphy. I suppose you never know, though. A whole bunch of them leave after spending a year with Murphy which, apparently, was nothing close to what they expected. So, Skylar and Kenleigh need to start pounding on her.

 

So, what we are ultimately saying is that with losing Reagan, Korbe, Kendra and Rylee....there are a lot of holes to fill and this year is the year we need to get it done.

 

Ava primary, I would try Hovermale there too. Jocelyn can work there if Bellaire develops

 

Not a ton of holes....Comia should replace Holtorf. Townsend and Lamar are big time recruits waiting their turn.
No big pitching losses.
Most teams would kill to have the returning talent

 

I spoke with one of the Bama coaches a few weeks ago and I asked her if they would be able to keep Vandargriff if someone made a run at her and she told me that they have less than 200k in the NIL coffers. So they could not compete if it came to NIL money. (Not that we could either though)

 

You don't think we could have an outfielder of Townsen, Taylor, and Mclellan

 

sounds like a high priced law firm...

 

Mia Williams.

 

With the departing seniors and the two freshmen coming in, the roster for next season stands at 17 for the moment (if no one transfers out). So, I do think Walton will hit the portal. I do think 1st base, possible shortstop and the two outfield spots are wide open. I really like Ava just focusing on pitching and being in the DP role. We'll see what players around the country enter.

 

Two minds thinking about the same subject. I had just wrote this and was planning to post as a new subject. I am adding it here because you brought the subject up first. I am not trying to oveshawdow your theme. Hope you will add your ideas. Thanks Bill
Thinking aloud on a scary subject…

If I am correct the new scholarship rule allowing 25 scholarships (up from the current 12) goes into effect this fall. It also allows partials.

We currently have 21 players on the roster. With 6 senior/graduates leaving and only one signee coming in, we only have 16 players which leaves a lot of room and real need to go portal shopping or to bring in some of the 2026 signees early. The need could be greater if we have anyone leave.

With all the scholarships available it would be the perfect time to bring a boatload of first-year students in early with the idea of redshirting many of them. This year Trish Ford brought in 10 freshmen along with several transfers. They ended up with 27 on the roster. And she did it with only 12 scholarships..

The 25 scholarships changes the whole ballgame. Plan for many more portal defections as teams stockpile more players than they can use. Also watch for more unhappy players and dead wood on the rosters. Coaches are going to make major changes in there recruiting and portal activity. Will they be able to keep the unity and spirit we have today?


I do not know what the new limits will do for or to the game. I liked the game better before the portal. I am concerned we will continue to move away from the purity, for lack of a better descriptor, we had prior to the portal and NIL.

Glad we have six months after we win national championship to worry about this !

 

Nobody answered my question. What's up with Cassidy being a no show for quite some time? Hurt last year. No idea what's going on this year. She's a talent but at this point should we be relying on her as the answer for an outfield slot? In any event, if you can pick up a high quality outfielder in the portal you'd be nuts not to do it.