BREAKING: Nation’s No. 1 Softball Star Commits to Nebraska Cornhuskers, Stunning Texas and Oklahoma Powerhouses
In a seismic shift within the world of college softball, the nation’s No. 1-ranked high school prospect, Avery “Ace” Monroe, has officially committed to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, turning down scholarship offers from perennial giants Texas and Oklahoma. The 17-year-old pitching phenom out of Chandler, Arizona, made her decision public Friday morning in a televised announcement streamed nationwide, wearing a scarlet Cornhuskers cap and flashing a confident smile that could be felt across the Big Ten and beyond.
The commitment sends shockwaves through the college softball landscape. Monroe, who clocks a 71 mph riseball and has been clocked at 19 strikeouts per game, was widely expected to choose between the powerhouse programs of Texas and Oklahoma, both of which have appeared in the Women’s College World Series multiple times in recent years. But instead, she chose a program still on the rise, giving the Cornhuskers their most monumental recruiting victory in over a decade.
“I wanted to build something—not just be part of something already built,” Monroe said during her announcement. “Nebraska believed in me as more than an athlete. They gave me a vision, not just a plan.”
Her commitment comes on the heels of a recruiting battle that insiders have described as “the most intense in years.” Oklahoma Sooners coach Patty Gasso was seen at multiple of Monroe’s travel tournaments, and Texas coach Mike White even hosted her at a private throwing session in Austin. Still, it was Nebraska head coach Rhonda Revelle who ultimately sealed the deal, flying out to Monroe’s high school to personally watch her pitch during a rain-soaked regional playoff, a move Monroe later described as “unforgettable.”
The 6-foot right-hander, who throws five pitches with elite command and has a 0.42 ERA in her senior season, is projected to start as a freshman. Nebraska, which finished last season ranked No. 22 nationally, now gains not just a future All-American but a recruiting domino effect that could transform the program into a top-tier contender.
“It’s not just about Ace,” said recruiting analyst Kara Beasley. “It’s about the statement this makes. Nebraska just jumped the line.”
Meanwhile, reactions from Norman and Austin were swift. Texas fans flooded message boards with disbelief, and Oklahoma’s athletic department released a brief statement wishing Monroe “continued success,” a rare move for an uncommitted athlete.
Monroe’s impact won’t be confined to Lincoln’s softball field. A straight-A student and vocal advocate for mental health in youth sports, she plans to major in psychology and has already collaborated with the Stronger Together initiative to help normalize athlete vulnerability.
In her final words at the podium, Monroe made her goals clear: “I’m not coming to Nebraska to compete. I’m coming to win.”
And with that, the Big Ten just became a lot more interesting.
