Florida Softball 2026 Transfer Portal Tracker: LSU’s Tori Edwards Commits
After Texas Tech eliminated Florida from the 2026 NCAA Gainesville Super Regional with a 16-7 win on May 24, Florida coach Tim Walton had to wait two weeks before adding new weapons to his roster.
As of Monday, all 14 of Florida’s eligible players will return for the 2027 season. Four Gators graduated, including starters Jocelyn Erickson, Kendall Grover and Kenleigh Cahalan. The Gators’ 2026 recruiting class sits at No. 4, according to On3.
Florida also gains right-handed pitcher Caroline Stanton, who sat atop Softball America’s 2026 recruit rankings before reclassifying and redshirting her freshman year Jan. 4. Stanton won three state championships with Buford High School and took home the 2026 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year award on June 9.
Gains in the portal:
The NCAA softball transfer portal officially opened June 8 and closes June 22. Players can still sign and commit to a school after the transfer portal window officially closes as the deadline only applies to the date the player must enter the portal.
Gains in the portal:
June 25: Tori Edwards (Utility), Louisiana State University
Florida landed SI’s No. 2 available transfer portal player Tori Edwards, who played two full seasons for LSU, per On3’s Brady Vernon.
Redshirting her freshman year in 2024, Edwards dominated the plate in 2025, holding a .383 batting average across 162 at bats, totaling 52 runs, 62 hits, 18 home runs, while tying a program-best 73 RBIs. The slugger smashed a program-record four grand slams and led the Tigers with 18 multi-RBI games.
Edwards earned 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year and an NFCA All-American Second Team selection. The utility player recorded 19 multi-hit games and maintained a .986 fielding percentage across 359 total chances.
Edwards didn’t prove as dominant in 2026, posting a .284 batting average while notching 39 runs and 44 hits. She led the Tigers in home runs (12), RBI (45) and base on walks (44).
Defensively, Edwards led the Tigers in putouts (329) behind a .983 fielding percentage.
Loading ...June 14: Kairi Rodriguez (Catcher), Duke University
Nearly a week after the portal opened, Florida made its first move, snagging Duke catcher Kairi Rodriguez. The redshirt senior spent four years with the Blue Devils and played 56 games for the team in 2026, posting a .238 batting average with 31 hits, 17 runs and 26 RBIs.
Behind the plate, Rodriguez maintained a .991 fielding percentage across 212 chances in 2026. The catcher ranked second in putouts (194) and limited herself to two errors.
With the grab, Florida adds a second catcher to the roster after starting catcher Erickson graduated and Ella Wesolowski returns for her senior season.
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Softball
