Once upon a time, players would take 3-to-5 trips, compare the schools and decide before verbally committing.

That’s changed quite a bit these days as we saw over the weekend more than 30 players committed (and that’s sure to grow as more become public).

If you know of a commit, email Brentt.Eads@LineDriveMedia.com to get the verbal added to our Master Commit Spreadsheet (see below for examples)

And I know of two players who have committed but aren’t going public yet because they want to either take their official campus visit first and/or want to tell the coaches who missed out.

📞📞CALLIN’ BATON ROUGE📞📞

I am beyond blessed and excited to announce my commitment, heading to Death Valley to continue my athletic and academic career at Louisiana State University. I want to thank my parents, sister, teammates, coaches and Coach Beth, Coach… pic.twitter.com/nKwpescdcL

— Sydney Gonglik (@SydneyGonglik1) September 7, 2025

Lindsey Munoz, co-head coach of the Lady Magic 18U team, had FIVE players commit over the weekend.

Here’s her players and where they were ranked in the recently released 2027 rankings:

• Niayli Calvo (#2 in 2027 Hot 100) – Florida
• Taylor Jennings (#4 in 2027 Hot 100) – Florida
• Jewel Cooper (#6 in 2027 Hot 100) – LSU
• Natalie Brozaitis (#9 in 2027 Hot 100)- Clemson
• Kamryn Brannon (#29 in 2027 Hot 100) – Michigan State

So why the change in players committing earlier than before?

“All of the girls who committed in the first week for us,” Coach Munoz explains, “had been to those campuses multiple times for camps. Their decision to commit was an educated and thoughtful choice and not just a spur of the moment thing.”

In other words, players—and college coaches—are doing their evaluations of each other much earlier than before.

Coach Munoz says that makes it imperative that the club coach of the athlete help in the process.

“I’d say it’s harder to commit in the Sept. 1 era because these girls get evaluated for such a long period of time,” she says.

“Which is good but also makes it a little more difficult because a lot of times these players are identified as young as in the 7th and 8th grade, so they are in the recruiting process for a really long time with very general feedback.

“The player has to continue to develop at the pace the coaches project them to. It makes the travel coach’s role very important to help the kids not only develop (as they should be expected to do anyway) but also help guide the kids towards schools that they feel would be a good fit.”

Good club programs and coaches prepare their athletes early on to understand what needs to be done to properly evaluate and make a good decision.

Another example: Kevin Shelton, head of the Texas Glory organization, one of the top club organizations in the country, had four players commit over the weekend.

Here is his perspective on how he sees the recruiting landscape today.

“This year has been interesting for sure.  The change a few years back to slow things down for the young players has been, in my view, very positive.”

“The way the rules are crafted are not perfect, but it is certainly better for everyone involved.  The recent changes to the landscape of college sports in general have created a level of ambiguity that is difficult for college coaches, players, their families and club coaches to manage.”

“The dynamic environment can be challenging.  Overall, we have been very pleased with our players approach to the recruiting process.  They have been well trained and are doing a good job communicating and getting on campuses early via camps.”

“The time they spend helps them find out what they like, get to know coaches and have solid comparisons, which then makes Sept. 1 and the weeks right after a little easier for some.”

“If they know what they want after years of careful consideration, because they have been executing a well thought out plan, and they get an offer that is good for them, they commit.  I think that is great. Others need a little more time and they should take it.”

“In general, the recruiting season is off to a good start.”

I’m beyond blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Arizona! I can’t thank all of the coaches enough for getting me to this part of my journey and it is only the beginning! #BearDown #Committed #allglorytogod pic.twitter.com/ZHrlQT5ee4

— EloisaMaes2027 (@EloisaMaes2027) September 7, 2025

Recruiting is marketing and college coaches have to move quickly to get the top talent. No surprise, then, that two SEC powers – LSU and Florida – each picked up at least three verbals since Sept. 1.

Just like anything in life, those who are prepared and do their homework tend to come out on top. Or at least have more options—and that goes for the athlete and those recruiting her.

In the end, it’s an exciting and rewarding decision for the player, her family and the coaches. It’s a time to celebrate and enjoy knowing where the next step in the athlete’s softball future will be.

It’s just that it’s happened a bit earlier than in the past.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball  

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The Line Drive Master Commit Spreadsheet 

(as of Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, listed alphabetically by Last Name)