(SB) Ongoing UF Softball Commentary

All signed ex Escobar who’s on PST.
Edit: all in fold!

 

Tim is back on social media: https://x.com/_TimWalton

 

A day to celebrate a very good new group of kids.

 

They all want to be Gators. I don't know specifics but I do know there was some concern that we might lose some as they were being hit with money offers from other places. And Brooklyn Gidley must have faced considerable pressure since she committed a year ago to flip to A&M. She lives in College Station.

 

Rick.....which of these new girls have the potential of being a big time hitter.

 

D1Softball’s Signing Class Rankings: Class of 2026

https://d1softball.com/d1softball-s...-of-2026/?mc_cid=5be7ccba5a&mc_eid=f38f09e4c3

 

That's a tough one. I'll take a wild guess and say Kennedy Bradley. I actually haven't seen enough of any of them live to know. None play for the Batbusters other than Escobar and she's a pitcher. You only get consistent and long term looks with the Batbusters. Edit: Been thinking about the question and I want to change my answer. New answer is "all of them, I hope."

 

We signed .two pitchers. If no one leaves that will mean at least 7 on roster for 2027. It seems like a big change in strategy on number of pitchers started about the time CJR went to Oklahoma. Before she left we had as few as 2 and a max of 4.
Any insight?

 

Im rather excited about Escobar

 

Do we have any inkling (love that word), if any will be joining us in the spring?

 

So am I!

 

This is amazing to me. There are 15 SEC softball teams and 9 of them were in the top 11 in softball signing class rankings. The other 6 teams were also ranked and Kentucky was the worst at 26. It is a bigger deal to win the WCWS but in my opinion it is much more difficult to win the SEC regular season championship. Go Gators

 

Approximately 1500 girls signed letters of intent yesterday and CTW signed 5 in the top 30. Congratulations coach. Please don't ever quit for God knows who our current athletic director would hire to replace you.

 

No one unless we have early enrollees from this signing class. I don’t advocate early enrollment at all.

 

Agreed about Tim staying, but unless the AD reneges on an agreed transition, Francesca is the coach to follow Tim. Tim publicly confirmed it and that the administration was on board with it. Frankly, I think it will happen at least by five years from now. How long should Francesca be sitting in the wings? I'd bet my last dollar that was the agreement between Tim and her when he convinced her to uproot her family from Orlando and give up a promising broadcasting career.

 

Stated another way -- Rick, who is your next Taylor Shumaker, where you know years before the player sets foot at KSP?

 

I’d honestly be very shocked if Tim hands over the reigns to Enea in 5 years, he is still very young compared to other coaches around the nation. I do think Enea is the heir apparent but i dont believe it happens within 5 years tbh.