HISTORIC TRANSFER: NIJAREE CANADY COMMITS TO OKLAHOMA SOONERS – THE BIGGEST PITCHING MOVE IN COLLEGE SOFTBALL HISTORY
Norman, Oklahoma – June 27, 2025 | By OUInsider.com
In a jaw-dropping development that has shaken the very foundation of college softball, NiJaree Canady, the most dominant pitcher in the United States, has officially announced her commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners Softball program. The transfer — from Stanford University to Norman — is being hailed as the biggest pitching move in NCAA softball history.
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THE QUEEN OF THE CIRCLE TURNS CRIMSON AND CREAM
Rumors had been swirling all week after Canady entered the NCAA transfer portal, but no one expected the commitment to come so quickly — or to such a powerhouse. In a powerful Instagram post, Canady wrote:
> “I came to dominate. I chose Oklahoma. Let’s finish what others started. BOOMER.”
[Photo: NiJaree Canady in a Sooners uniform standing in front of Marita Hynes Field]
The reaction was instant and explosive: tens of thousands of likes within minutes, national headlines from ESPN, Softball America, and NCAA.com, and the hashtag #CanadyToOU trending across social media.
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DOMINANCE BY THE NUMBERS: A SEASON FOR THE AGES
Canady’s 2024 season at Stanford was nothing short of otherworldly:
Stat Value
Win–Loss Record 25–3
ERA (Earned Run Average) 0.73 – No. 1 in NCAA
Strikeouts 281 in 178 IP
Opponent Batting Avg. .132
Shutouts 11
Awards USA Softball Player of the Year, Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, WCWS All-Tournament Team
Coach Patty Gasso, now entering her 30th year, called Canady:
> “A combination of power, precision, and unshakable composure you rarely see. She’s a weapon.”
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WHY OKLAHOMA?
While LSU, Florida State, and UCLA were reportedly making strong pushes, Canady’s decision to commit to Oklahoma came down to three key reasons:
1. Coach Patty Gasso’s legendary reputation
2. The Sooners’ unmatched championship culture
3. A roster stacked with young stars like Tori Edwards, Ella Parker, and Reese Atwood
Canady said in her announcement:
> “I want to be part of something legendary. Oklahoma isn’t just a program — it’s where greatness is built.”
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️ A PITCHING PARADISE IN NORMAN
Canady joins a pitching rotation that was already elite:
Karlyn Pickens – 0.98 ERA, 252 strikeouts in 2025
⚡ Mia Williams – Top 3 freshman pitching recruit
Coach Sydney Romero, newly named Associate Head Coach, will now oversee the most dangerous bullpen in the nation
Canady + Pickens = Possibly the most fearsome 1-2 punch in NCAA softball since Lowary-Parker during the Jocelyn Alo era.
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️ THE SOONER COMMUNITY ERUPTS
Tori Edwards: “Let’s go get it, sis. Ring season just got real.”
Ella Parker: “We get to play with THE Canady? Are you kidding me???”
Sydney Romero: “We’re building more than a team. We’re building a legacy.”
Even former Sooners greats like Jordy Bahl, Jocelyn Alo, and Paige Parker reacted online with full support.
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INSTANT IMPACT ON OKLAHOMA’S TITLE CHANCES
Canady’s commitment instantly solidifies Oklahoma as the overwhelming favorite to win the 2026 NCAA Championship. With her in the circle, supported by Reese Atwood behind the plate and one of the deepest offenses in the country, the Sooners are poised to dominate.
Preseason rankings are expected to place OU at #1, and early betting lines already place the Sooners as favorites to win the WCWS by a historic margin.
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NIL VALUE SKYROCKETS
Insiders confirm Canady’s NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) valuation soared to over $1.2 million just 24 hours after the announcement. She is now the highest-valued female athlete in college softball, with rumored deals from:
Nike Softball
Rawlings
Gatorade
Adidas x OU
She has also launched her own custom glove line in collaboration with Easton.
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR NIJAREE CANADY?
Canady is set to arrive in Norman in mid-July for pre-season workouts and orientation. She’ll participate in the team’s high-profile “Red River Fall Classic” event in August, giving fans their first live glimpse of her in crimson and cream.
She’ll be expected to anchor the pitching staff and lead the Sooners to their fifth national title in eight seasons.
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FINAL WORD: A DYNASTY EVOLVES
NiJaree Canady didn’t just choose a school. She chose to be part of a dynasty, to help build the next chapter in the greatest program college softball has ever seen.
And in doing so, she may have just made history once again — not with a pitch yet, but with a pen.
The Queen is headed to Norman. The throne is
