Auriana Turner, you could argue, is the top 2026 grad who is still uncommitted… but don’t expect that to remain the case going too far into her senior year.

The 5-foot-7 Class of 2026 outfielder from Lake Brantley High in Altamonte Springs, Fla. is a dynamic athlete and special talent who is leading her Class 7A softball program to one of the top records in the country, a 20-3 mark entering this week.

Lake Brantley High is currently ranked No. 1 in Florida in 7A and looks poised to make a serious run in the state playoffs this year.

And leading the Patriots team, which is ranked No. 21 in the country by one source, is Auriana—who also goes by “Auri”—and her numbers so far this year have been amazing.

Currently, she’s batting .532 with a .612 on-base percentage and her 42 hits, which includes nine doubles, four triples and five home runs, set a new school record already this spring. And just night (Wednesday, April 23, 2025) she got her 100^th career hit with many games left to play this year and next.

Offensively, Auri’s other stats also impress as she has scored 44 runs—the most in Florida high school ball this year—along with 23 RBIs, 22 steals and 17 walks with just nine strikeouts in 98 plate appearances.

Defensively, the talented outfielder is adept at covering in the grass from the foul line to left centerfield with ease.

Her high school head coach is Jacob Stanley raves about her all-around game and is very high on his talented player.

“Auriana has been the definition of a team-first player this season,” he beings.

“Whatever we’ve needed, she’s delivered. Auri brings a combination of speed and power on offense, capable of hitting for contact, stretching singles into doubles, or leaving the yard when needed. Her arm strength and field awareness in the outfield have been elite, and she currently leads the team in outfield assists.

Stephanie Mike, the owner of the All-Star Sports Complex in Florida, explains that Auriana’s base running is “clutch” and “this year she is having her best year at the plate and dominating in the field.”

“She is very humble and a sweet personality,” Mike continues, “but when she gets in those lines Auriana is a baller and a pitcher’s worst nightmare. For example, one of her best games this season was against Melbourne High School when Auriana went 4-for-4 with two home runs.

The competition the junior has competed against has been formidable on both the club and prep levels.

Playing at the highest level in the Sunshine State (Class 7), Auriana last year as a sophomore faced current collegiate freshmen such Jazzy Francik (Florida State), Julie Kelly (Kentucky), Lexi King (Arkansas), Gabby Mike (Duke), Katelynn Oxley (Florida) and Anne Long (South Florida) and was able to get hits against them.

When not on the prep fields, the outfielder competes on the Tampa Mustangs team led by Kyle Fowler who says:

“Auri Turner has been one of the hardest-working, most explosive athletes I’ve seen in a long time,” he begins.

“If I had to describe her in one sentence, I’d say: she plays football on a softball field. Auri is tough, fast, physical, and fearless. She doesn’t take anything from anyone and brings an edge to the game that’s rare.”

“Auri’s easily one of the top 2026 players in the country,” Fowler continues, “a true five-tool athlete. She hits for average, hits for power, runs the bases like a rocket, plays elite defense, and has an arm that can shut down any threat. Simply put: she does it all!”

An interesting fact about Auriana’s club team is that Coach Fowler is the Mustangs’ head coach and her high school head coach, Coach Stanley, is an assistant on the travel ball team.

Conversely, Coach Fowler’s daughter, Mckaelyn, plays on the Lake Brantley High team which is stacked; in addition to Turner and Fowler, the team features other top players such as Lauren Compton, Rylie Morris, and Stella Christie who are all making major contributions.

As for the recruiting situation Auri is facing, both of her head coaches believe it’s just a matter of time before she gets heavily courted by top programs nationwide.

“It honestly shocks me that Auri isn’t committed yet, but I fully expect her to have a massive summer,” says Fowler, her club head coach.

“She’s going to turn heads and make a lot of coaches realize they overlooked her. Everything she’s achieved is the result of relentless work, and I couldn’t be happier to see her getting the recognition she’s earned.”

Auriana’s other head softball coach, Lake Brantley (Fla.) High’s Jacob Stanley, also looks for the recruiting scene for Auri to really take off in the next six months.

“As far as recruiting goes, I’m not sure how she’s flown under the radar,” Stanley says, “but I can say with confidence that I’d put her up against any 2026 in the country. I fully expect this monster spring season to roll right into an incredible summer. Any coach looking for an impact player in the 2026 class should definitely give Auriana an opportunity.”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball