As part of our ever-growing coverage here on Line Drive Softball, we’re going to celebrate the exciting stories of top softball players who decide where they’ll play at the next level (collegiately).

Having just wrapped up the 2029 Line Drive HOT 100 rankings, today’s “honoree” is a great example of how talent, work and perseverance can take you a long way.

In previous rankings I’ve done with the Class of 2025, infielder Brooke Smith has gone from being rated No. 59 two years ago to No. 13 last year and don’t be surprised if in the next time the 2025 class is ranked, she makes it into the Top 10… maybe even the Top 5.

Why?

As her Tammy Vermeulen, the head coach of Brooke’s D1VISION 18U team recalls, she could see the talent and potential from the very first time she saw the 5-tool player in action.

“I’ll never forget watching Brooke play for the first time,” she begins. “I could see from a mile away this kid was going to be a stud. I watched her fly around the bases and instantly wanted to get her on our squad of athletes where I felt she would excel big time.”

Coach Tammy knew years in advance that this young teenage athlete would be a high Power 5-caliber prospect.

“I remember speaking with her parents at the park when she was 14,” she continues, “telling them she would be a Top 25 signee and that I could see her playing in the SEC. I think they might have thought I was playing around, but I knew she had what it took to get there. Brooke is simply amazing and has shown that time and time again in the last two years with us.”

That prophesy of playing in the SEC someday has been fulfilled. Brooke has been tested with a 65-mph overhand speed, a 74 mph exit velocity and a 2.6 second home-to-first time.

There’s the talent, but there’s also the accomplishments.

Brooke has won a Mississippi 6A state championships and, on the club front, helped her D1VISION team do well at the PGF 18U Premier Championships two years ago as the team finished 5^th place overall.

Fast forward to two years later and the start of her recruiting process: Brooke got over 45 phone calls, texts and emails from various schools across the country interested in bringing her into their programs. She had multiple SEC and Power 5 offers and ultimately chose the Georgia Bulldogs.

“This is the perfect fit without a doubt,” Coach Vermeulen says, “and I know she is going to keep working hard to be ready to compete Day 1 when she steps on campus at Georgia. Brooke is a gritty kid, a great teammate and elevates the game wherever she is!”

She’s not done, however, competing on the travel ball circuit and Brooke’s coach says she herself will savor every moment with her prized player this summer.

“We have loved having Brooke be a part of our program and I have enjoyed every minute of being her coach,” The D1VISION leader concludes. “We only have a year left, but I know she will continue to impact the players and teammates around her until she’s off to the next level. It is just the beginning of her story; you will be hearing this name often at the next level, I promise!”

— Brentt Eads/Extra Inning Softball 

*****

PLAYER BASICS:

• Name: BROOKE SMITH
• Hometown/ST: Brandon, Miss.
• Grad Year: 2025
• Position(s): SS/UT
• Club Team: D1VISION 18U National
• School (City/ST): Northwest Rankin (Flowood, Miss.) High
• GPA: 4.0
• College (committed to): Univ. of Georgia
• Preferred College Major: Criminal Justice

*** Continue below to read Brooke’s thoughts on becoming a Bulldog…