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Star transfer NiJaree Canady joining Texas Tech softball behind reported $1 million NIL deal
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- Star transfer NiJaree Canady joining Texas Tech softball behind reported $1 million NIL deal
The biggest fish in the college softball transfer market has decided her future, and it involves moving to Lubbock.
NiJaree Canady, a star pitcher who spent her first two years at Stanford, committed to the Texas Tech softball team on Wednesday via social media.
Shortly after Canady announced her commitment, The Athletic/New York Times published a report that said Canady "signed a one-year, $1,050,024 deal with Texas Tech's collective Matador Club," citing a person familiar with the deal.
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Canady's first two years of college have been nothing short of miraculous. She has led the nation in ERA each of the last two years, holding opponents to 0.57 as a freshman and 0.65 last year. As a sophomore, she also led the nation in strikeouts with 337 across 230.2 innings pitched.
She was named USA Softball collegiate player of the year this past season and was the D1Softball and Softball America freshman of the year in 2023. Prior to Stanford, Canady was a two-time Kansas Gatorade player of the year.
Stanford advanced to the Women's College World Series each of Canady's two years with the Cardinal, the program's first appearances in decades.
More: Is Gerry Glasco finally the answer for Texas Tech softball stability? Justus Perry thinks so | Giese
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Canady becomes the latest addition to the Red Raiders via the transfer portal since Gerry Glasco's arrival as new head coach earlier this month. Following Glasco to Lubbock from Louisiana are outfielder Mihyia Davis (Sun Belt player of the year), catcher Victoria Valdez, pitcher Chloe Riassetto and infielders Lauren Allred and Alexa Langeliers, who signed earlier this week. They join fellow transfers Alana Johnson (Washington), Katie Lott (Oklahoma State) and Frenship grad Makayla Garcia (UT-Tyler).
In addition, Glasco has also been able to keep the 2024 recruiting class, assembled by previous coach Craig Snider, intact. The seven-player class was ranked No. 2 in the nation by Extra Inning Softball. Each of the seven players — Brenlee Gonzales, Kiley Huffman, Cassie Johnson, Samantha Lincoln, Bailey Lindmuth, Sydney Shiller and Hailey Toney — are listed on the softball team's official Texas Tech athletics website as members of the 2025 roster.
Texas Tech last made an NCAA regional appearance in 2019. Glasco is the fourth coach for Tech since then.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Massive NIL deal brings NiJaree Canady to Texas Tech softball, per report
