In a stunning development that has rocked the college softball landscape, the nation’s No. 1 high school softball player, Madison “Maddie” Reyes, has officially committed to Virginia Tech, turning down powerhouse programs including the Texas Longhorns, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oklahoma, and UCLA.
Reyes, a 17-year-old phenom from Huntington Beach, California, is widely considered a generational talent. A dominant two-way player with a .518 batting average, 22 home runs, and a 0.92 ERA in her senior season, Reyes was courted by nearly every major NCAA Division I program. Her decision to join the Hokies marks a monumental moment for Virginia Techโs softball program and signals a potential shift in the national balance of power.
โI chose Virginia Tech because it felt like home,โ Reyes said during her commitment announcement on ESPN. โThe coaching staff believed in me not just as a player, but as a leader. I want to build something historic here.โ
Virginia Tech head coach Jamie Allen, now entering her third year, was visibly emotional during the post-announcement press conference. โThis is more than a commitment โ itโs a declaration that Virginia Tech is ready to compete at the highest level. Maddie is a program-changing athlete, and sheโs going to inspire a generation of Hokie softball players.โ
Reyes visited multiple campuses throughout the year, and many insiders believed she would choose Texas, given their recent Womenโs College World Series runs. However, her visit to Blacksburg in April reportedly sealed the deal, with the schoolโs state-of-the-art facilities, supportive campus culture, and academic resources tipping the scale.
Recruiting analysts are calling this one of the most impactful commitments in NCAA softball in the past decade. โThis is like landing a top NFL draft pick straight out of high school,โ said analyst Rachel Gordon of Softball America. โMaddieโs presence on the field instantly elevates the Hokies to national contenders.โ
With Reyes set to join the team for the 2026 season, expectations are sky-high. Virginia Tech fans and alumni are already buzzing on social media, calling this the start of a new era.
If Reyes delivers on her promise, Virginia Tech may soon find itself not just in the national spotlightโbut in Oklahoma City chasing championships.
