Florida Softball's Rising Stars: Shumaker, Erickson, Rothrock, and Brown Ready for a Stellar 2026 Season
Taylor Shumaker made a significant impact in her freshman year for Florida softball in 2025, and expectations are high for her sophomore season in 2026. D1 Softball and Softball America recognized Shumaker as the nation's best outfielder for the upcoming season, ranking her No. 8 overall among all players in the country. She set new records for UF freshmen with 22 home runs and 86 RBIs, putting her in the top 10 nationally in several categories.
Joining Shumaker in the spotlight are Jocelyn Erickson, Keagan Rothrock, and Ava Brown, who all made it to the top 100 rankings by Softball America and D1 Softball. Erickson, the 2024 NFCA Player of the Year, maintained her defensive prowess in 2025 while hitting 15 home runs and driving in 59 runs. Rothrock, the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2024, aims to bounce back from injuries that affected her 2025 season. Brown, a Second Team All-SEC player in 2024, improved her performance in the circle in 2025.
The Florida softball team is set to kick off its 2026 season on Friday, February 6, at the USF-Rawlings Invitational against Illinois State. The team's talented players, including Shumaker, Erickson, Rothrock, and Brown, are poised to make a significant impact on the upcoming season.