Breaking News: Oklahoma Sooners’ No. 1-Ranked Stance on Alyssa Parker After Star Announces She’s Coming Back, Rejecting Top Rivals
June 8, 2025 — Norman, OK
In a decision that has sent shockwaves through the college softball world, Alyssa Parker, one of the nation’s most electrifying athletes, has announced her return to the Oklahoma Sooners for another season — a move that solidifies OU’s dominance heading into 2026.
Parker, a two-time All-American and last season’s Big 12 Player of the Year, was widely expected to transfer or turn pro after a standout junior year. With top programs like UCLA, Florida State, and Tennessee heavily courting the star outfielder, many believed she would test new waters. Instead, Parker took to social media Sunday morning, posting: “I’m not done yet. One more year in Crimson & Cream. Let’s run it back. #UnfinishedBusiness.”
The response from the Sooners program was immediate and emphatic. Head coach Patty Gasso issued a statement saying, “Alyssa embodies the heart of Oklahoma Softball. Her leadership, fire, and unmatched work ethic are why we’re the program we are. Her decision to stay speaks volumes about the culture we’ve built.”
Parker’s return is a massive boost to the Sooners, who finished last season with a 59-4 record and another Women’s College World Series title. Her presence not only solidifies Oklahoma’s No. 1 ranking in early 2026 projections but also sends a clear message to rival programs: the Sooners are reloading, not rebuilding.
With a core that includes Parker, ace pitcher Kailey Bennett, and rising star Jada Monroe, Oklahoma now looks poised for a potential four-peat. As other teams scramble to adjust their recruiting and transfer strategies, the Sooners are locked in — and Alyssa Parker is leading the charge.
College softball just got a lot more interesting.
