ESPN REPORTS: NO. 1 AMERICAN PLAYER OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES OKLAHOMA SOONERS SOFTBALL TOP 2026 RECRUIT FLIPS NATION STAR OVER TEXAS TECH, BYU, ALABAMA
In a major recruiting shake-up that has stunned the college softball world, the No. 1 American softball player in the 2026 class, Madison “Maddie” Cole, has officially announced her commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners, flipping from her previous pledge to Texas Tech. The decision comes after weeks of speculation, insider reports, and last-minute campus visits that had fans and scouts alike glued to social media.
ESPN broke the story early Thursday morning, confirming that the Oklahoma Sooners, a perennial powerhouse in NCAA softball, had successfully secured the nation’s top-ranked prospect. Cole, a 17-year-old phenom from Glendale, Arizona, had originally committed to Texas Tech in late 2024, citing the program’s recent surge and the chance to “build something special.” But in a surprise twist, she reopened her recruitment in mid-2025 after a dominant travel ball season where she hit .587 with 12 home runs and 34 stolen bases in just 30 games.
According to sources close to the recruitment, Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso made a personal visit to Cole’s home earlier this summer. The pitch was simple: “Come be a legend at a place built for legends.” That message resonated with Cole, whose idol growing up was former Sooner great Jocelyn Alo.
Fictionally, insiders describe a secret scrimmage during Cole’s unofficial visit to Norman, where she allegedly blasted four consecutive home runs against the Sooners’ starting pitching staff. “It was like watching a future Olympian,” said one anonymous assistant coach. “Everyone just stood still. We knew then—we had to land her.”
Cole’s flip is more than just a recruiting win; it’s a statement. Oklahoma, already reloading after multiple national titles, is poised to dominate yet another era. Meanwhile, programs like BYU, Alabama, and Texas Tech are left scrambling to fill a massive void.
This move not only shifts the balance of power in the 2026 class but signals that Oklahoma remains the undisputed epicenter of elite collegiate softball.
