ย โ The Florida Gators have landed the most coveted softball prospect in the country, as 17-year-old pitching and hitting sensation Madison โMaddieโ Raynor officially announced her verbal commitment to the University of Florida on Saturday morning. Ranked No. 1 nationally in the Class of 2026 by Softball America and Extra Inning Softball, Raynor chose Florida over powerhouse programs including Tennessee, Kentucky, and BYU.
Raynor, a 5-foot-10 dual-threat from Southern California, has been a dominant force on the national circuit for years. As the ace of her travel ball team, the OC Storm, she boasts a fastball topping 72 mph and a deadly riseball that has baffled even elite batters. Offensively, she hit .488 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs this past summer against the best club competition in the nation.
โI felt like Florida was home from the moment I stepped on campus,โ Raynor said in a statement posted to her social media. โThe coaching staff believes in me not just as a player, but as a person. Coach Waltonโs legacy and the team culture made it clearโthis is where Iโm meant to be.โ
Florida head coach Tim Walton, who led the Gators to back-to-back Womenโs College World Series titles in 2014 and 2015, has built a tradition of elite pitching talent and two-way stars. Raynor is expected to follow in the footsteps of former Florida greats like Lauren Haeger and Kelly Barnhill.
โSheโs the most complete prospect weโve seen in a decade,โ said college recruiting analyst Jenna Montoya. โShe could start on a D1 roster today. Floridaโs program just got significantly more dangerous.โ
Raynorโs commitment marks a significant recruiting victory for the Gators, especially over SEC rivals Tennessee and Kentucky, both of whom were considered finalists. BYU also made a strong push, pitching a combination of immediate playing time and academic flexibility, but Raynorโs decision ultimately came down to fit, family, and a chance to compete for national championships.
In her junior year at Laguna Hills High School, Raynor posted a 0.61 ERA and struck out 214 batters across 112 innings, while also slugging .975 at the plate. With one high school season remaining, she is widely expected to win both Gatorade National Player of the Year and USA Softball Junior Player of the Year honors.
Raynor is eligible to sign her National Letter of Intent in November 2025.
