Florida softball saw its season end away from Oklahoma City and the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 2023.
The Gators fell in three games at home in the Super Regional vs. Texas Tech. The Red Raiders ultimately advanced to the WCWS Championship Series — where they lost to back-to-back national champion Texas.
Now, UF must reload for the 2027 season. It loses four seniors to graduation and brings in the nation’s second-ranked recruiting class. The six freshmen the Gators bring in (Caroline Stanton enrolled early for the 2026 season) play a variety of positions.
But what about the driver of most successful teams today in college sports? The transfer portal.
For example, TTU famously built its roster through the transfer portal, and it resulted in two straight championship series appearances.
Coach Tim Walton has found massive success in the portal, including two SEC Players of the Year in Skylar Wallace (Alabama) and Jocelyn Erickson (Oklahoma) and an All-American in Korbe Otis (Louisville). They helped take UF to the WCWS in 2024 and 2025.
What does Walton and Co. have in store for the portal for the 2027 season?
Here’s the Gainesville Sun’s transfer portal tracker for Florida softball:
Which Florida softball players have entered the transfer portal?
None so far.
Transfers who have committed to the Gators
None so far.
Players returning to Florida softball
As of Friday, June 5, all 14 eligible players from the Gators 2026 roster will return for the 2027 season. That includes All-Americans Keagan Rothrock and Taylor Shumaker. This is a necessity as UF held the smaller roster in Division I softball this past season.
Non transfers Florida softball is losing
Four seniors are graudating from UF after the 2026 season, including three full-time starters:
Top transfer portal targets for Florida softball
Jaysoni Beachum, FSU
The Tallahassee native can stay in-state after deciding to leave the Seminoles. The 2024 consensus Freshman of the Year, she is a two-time All-American. Beachum fills an immediate need at third with Kendall Grover’s graduation. She hit .406 in 2026 with 10 home runs and 69 RBIs.
Karley Shelton, South Carolina
The younger sister of former Florida baseball player Colby Shelton, Karley led the Gamecocks in hits over the last two seasons.
Tori Edwards, LSU
Florida can grab one of the best hitters in the country from the portal. Edwards is a two-time All-American who drew 48 walks and drove in 45 runs in the 2026 season.
Samantha Swan, Arizona State
The best catcher in the portal, Swan could help fill the offensive role left by Jocelyn Erickson. She led the Sun Devils to Super Regionals and was First Team All-Big 12 with a .383 average, 12 home runs, 69 hits and 55 RBIs.
Gigi Ganje, Penn
Walton showed his ability with Grover to find diamonds in the rough, and Ganje would qualify. She ranked 16th in the country in slugging percentage and was named First Team All-Ivy League with a .428 average, 60 hits, 16 home runs, 41 RBIs and 31 walks.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida softball 2026 transfer tracker, updates on Tim Walton’s roster
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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By Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
