Just like this time last year, the Oklahoma softball team is again losing another one-and-done transfer pitcher that emerged as the Sooners’ ace.
After Oklahoma State transfer Kelly Maxwell led the Sooners to their fourth straight national title last year in her only season in Norman, Patty Gasso added Sam Landry from Louisiana to become OU’s ace this season. Landry was an underwhelming commitment at the time, but still developed into one of the best pitchers in the country for an OU pitching staff that was otherwise inconsistent and mostly disappointing in 2025.
With Landry now moving on after one season at OU, Gasso could have to look to the transfer portal again to get the Sooners back on another national championship streak.
5 best pitchers in college softball transfer portal
Sydney Berzon is the No. 1 player and only five-star prospect in the transfer portal, according to On3, which also already predicts Berzon to end up at OU or Texas A&M.
Berzon, a two-time All-American, had a 2.46 ERA and was 18-8 in 30 appearances this season as a junior. She would be another short-term filler with one year of eligibility left, but the Sooners would remain a top national contender in 2026 with Berzon in the circle.
Although Maya Johnson has spent her entire college career to this point at the mid-major level, she's proven she deserves to make the leap to play at the highest level.
Johnson entered the transfer portal as Belmont's leader in career wins with one year of eligibility left. This season as a junior, she had a 1.52 ERA and 23-6 record with 366 strikeouts.
Jalen Adams has proven herself at the Power Four level already as a three-year starter with Iowa. In the Big Ten as a junior this season, Adams posted a 2.18 ERA and 23-7 record. She also has a career 2.26 ERA in three seasons.
Another tremendous talent from the mid-major level that deserves to spend her final season playing big-time softball.
Grace Taylor has a career 3.73 ERA as a three-year starter at Mercer but dropped it to a career-best 3.00 ERA in 2025 and was 6-1 in six starts while mostly coming in as a reliever. She even recorded a save in an upset over Georgia during the season.
Taylor still thrived as a starter and was the SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player after a weekend that included a complete game in the championship.
Serayah Neiss, a lefty, is one of the highest-rated players in the transfer portal after three seasons at Fresno State. Neiss had a spectacular 2025 with a 1.95 ERA and 19-5 record. She has a career 2.67 ERA and has made at least 36 appearances every season.
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