Word out of Austin, Texas tonight is that the Texas Longhorns received a verbal commit from one of the very best infielders in the country.

Michaela Landers, ranked No. 2 overall in the Line Drive Media 2028 HOT 100 and No. 1 by Softball America, is a done deal according to her club coach Scott Smith who told Line Drive’s Brentt Eads tonight:

“Yes sir, she committed today,” Coach Smith said.

“I’m so proud of Mac and her entire family! She and her family have worked so hard towards this goal and to have it materialize into playing for the same school her mom played at is so cool.”

“Michaela has put the work in to have this opportunity, and the way she has been raised has played a huge role in this becoming reality!”

Michaela took her official campus visit to Texas on Week 1 and followed it up with school visits to Florida and Oklahoma, but today she pulled the trigger to stay in-state.

Austin American-Statesman’s Thomas Jones, who earlier today wrote about the commitment to UT, added the following:

“A five-tool infielder who can play multiple positions at the next level, Landers enjoyed a record-breaking season in 2026 for Waxahachie High School, which is about 30 miles south of Dallas.”

“The sophomore shortstop hit .639, scored 73 runs and had 52 extra-base hits in 41 games. She also belted 25 home runs to break the Dallas-area record of 24 that was set in 2025 by Melissa’s Kennedy Bradley, a Florida signee.”

“Landers also recorded 105 RBIs to break the single-season state record of 92 that had been set by Amarillo’s Sydney Greeson in 2018. Landers finished 22 RBIs short of the national record and is tied for the fourth-most in U.S. history.”

“Landers’ record-breaking season earned her The Dallas Morning News’ All-Area Softball Player of the Year award after she led Waxahachie to a 38-3 record and a spot in the Class 6A Division I Region II semifinals.”

On the club side, the current junior who plays for Smith’s Texas Bombers Gold team, was named to the Line Drive Media 18U All-Summer Team after she batted .500 with a .943 SLG, .556 OBP, 1.500 OPS, 10 home runs, 41 RBIs and 34 stolen bases to help the Bombers reach the 18U Tier I Alliance national championship series.

In the 18U Tier 1 National Championship series, although the Bombers fell in the best of three games to the OC Batbusters – Stith team, the closing game loss still saw Michaela hit an RBI triple and a double.

Back in February, USA Softball named the 2026 U-18 Women’s National Team to compete at the Pan American Championship and Landers was one of 16 who made the squad. The games are scheduled to be played November 21-28 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

In the 2028 HOT 100 Top 5 released on Sept. 7^th by Line Drive Media, Michaela’s bio included her high school and club notes as well as the opening statement:

“Michaela has had great success at every level she’s played at including internationally where she was on Team USA’s U-15 squad that won Gold at the WBSC Americas Qualifier last year and where she batted .600 (12-for-20) with eight RBIs and 13 runs scored.”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive