This is Brentt Eads of Line Drive Media

When I first started off in my sports media career, I worked primarily on the boys’ side—meaning football, basketball and baseball.

Recruiting and, especially, a recruit announcing his college choice, was—and still is—much more of a dramatic reveal.

It was very common for a press conference to be held, often in the player’s school gym, where he would be seated at a table to do the big announcement of which college he was choosing.

Frequently, the way the recruit would do the “reveal” was by choosing one of several hats that were placed in front of him of the universities he was considering.

Sometimes, it would be a bit of a show—the player would reach for one, then pull back. Then, he’d pick up another hat and start to put it on… only to put it back on the table.

Ultimately, he’d pick the hat representing his final choice, put it on his head and the crowd would cheer knowing where they could watch this hometown favorite play football, baseball or basketball in the future.

Another way I’ve seen a player announce where he’s going to college is to have the same situation, only do it by opening a coat or jacket and revealing the shirt of the college he’ll attend.

Last Friday, something similarly fun was done in the Sunshine State when our No. 2 player in the Line Drive Media HOT 100, Kylie Holden, did her “reveal” before the Ocoee (Fla.) High football game.

Kylie was on the track behind a table that had four softballs on it in the colors of Texas, Ole Miss, LSU and Florida.

Note: a big difference from the boys’ press conferences I’d attend back in the day was the outstanding 2028 infielder/catcher was in front of a backdrop featuring multiple Under Armour logos… corporate sponsorship with the NIL era is big now!

Kylie did the dramatic reach for the Texas ball, then the Ole Miss ball, but ultimately, she picks up the Florida ball while two folks spray colored smoke in the air—the Gator blue and orange colors and she finishes doing the Gator chomp and laughs after having so much fun.

Here’s the social media post where you get to see it all.

We also had a pregame commitment for Ocoee Girls Softball star Kylie Holden who is the #2 player in the COUNTRY! in the Class of 2028 and she announced her commitment to the Florida Gators! Here is the condensed commitment below @holdenkylie3 @FloridaGators https://t.co/A6j35YcY2m

— Central Florida High School Football Recruiting (@football305407) October 2, 2026

I haven’t seen too many of these “reveals” in the softball world.

If you have any you’ve recorded or know about, send the clip and/or info my way… I’d love to see others like this one!

Email: Brentt.Eads@LineDriveMedia.com

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Here’s what we wrote about Kylie in her bio for the Top 5 of the 2028 HOT 100 released on Sept. 7:

T-2—Kylie Holden, SS/C, Unity – Johnson/VB

Kylie made the Line Drive 18U All-Summer Team after she put up great numbers across the board including a .540 batting average with a .578 on-base percentage, a 1.118 slugging percentage, 51 hits including nine home runs, four triples and 19 doubles, 53 RBIs, 50 runs and 13 steals. Her tremendous offensive production helped Josh Johnson’s Unity team finish 5^th at the PGF 18U Nationals this summer. Defensively, as one coach put it, “Kylie’s play-making ability is undeniable within minutes of watching her play.” She has strong mechanics, good arm strength and “infectious energy on the field.” The junior at Ocoee (Fla.) High is also outstanding in the classroom with a 4.8 GPA.

IM STAYING HOME! IM A GATOR🐊🧡💙 @GatorsSB #gogators #chompchomp https://t.co/YIj1giJlFU

— Kylie Holden ‘28 (@holdenkylie3) October 3, 2026

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Here are those in the 2028 HOT 100 who are newly added to our database since Sunday:

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Totals Overall & Over the Last 3 Days

We’re now 5 weeks into the launch of the live recruiting period for the current high school juniors and are at 475 commits in the Class of 2028 already which are listed in our Master Commit Spreadsheet below!

And we’re also including 2027’s and others like JC transfers so we have 945 total commits since Sept. 1!

Important NOTE about 2027’s: We are still getting a heavy number of 2027 commits coming in so if you’re one of those, feel free to send your info in to us to get added into our system.

If you know of a commit AT ANY LEVEL, email Brentt.Eads@LineDriveMedia.com to get the verbal added to our Master Commit Spreadsheet

NOTE: We publish the updated lists weekly–typically on Sundays & mid-week in the fall…

*** Click HERE to see our 2025/2026 database of nearly 4,000 commits!

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Here are some recently who have posted their happy news on social media:

Officially a CARDINAL!! CHIRP CHIRP❤️🖤 ~ ~ ~ @BallStateSB @CoachPena_BSU @BigRockHawk @JadeynMerrill @TGA_Turner @TGASciara @topgunfastpitch https://t.co/HtwMPdzH8W

— Mackenna Minden (@MackennaM2028) October 5, 2026

GO FLAMES AND GO GOD🩵🔥 I am so excited and blessed to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Liberty University! First of all, I would like to thank Jesus Christ for the abilities and opportunities He has provided me with during this journey. To my Dad, I truly don’t know what I would do without you. You have sacrificed so much time and money for me. I’m so grateful for the countless hours spent front tossing to me and helping me get better. I love you so much and wouldn’t want to go through this journey with anyone else. To my Mom, you are the best mom a girl could ask for and you are always there for me. I’m so grateful for you always being at my games and cheering me on. Thank you for all the hours spent at the ballparks and you are my biggest cheerleader. I love you so much! To my siblings, I’m so blessed to have you as my built in best friends. Cade, you always find a way to make me smile and laugh. I’m so blessed to be your big sister. Brooklyn, I truly cherish our relationship and you are the best little sister! I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for you in the future! To Lincoln Martin, thank you for all you have done for me. All your wisdom and advice has helped me become the player I am today. I’m so thankful for all the lessons and hours you have spent with me. I genuinely value our relationship even beyond softball. Thank you for believing in me and challenging me. To Ryan Goldin, thank you for helping me throughout the years. I have become so much stronger and such a better athlete because of you! Your belief in me means more than you know. To Rachel Roupe, you have helped me become such a better person and player. My game has advanced so much because of all the time you have invested in me. I’m so thankful for our friendship and I love having someone I can talk to no matter what. To Coach Josh, I’m so excited to ball out for you this summer. Looking forward to getting after it with Armor Elite! Finally, to Coach Dot, Coach Sami, Coach Fagan, and Coach Kirby, thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to compete at the highest level! I’m so grateful and I can’t wait to play for Liberty! God is so good! Let’s gooo!!! @CoachDot_LU @SamiFagan @kickem2theKIRB @LibertySB @BWolvesSoftball @ArmorEliteLynch @ArmorEliteFP @CoachBrittAE @ExtraInningSB @LineDsoftball @PrepSoftball @SoftbalAmerica @BradyVernon @notarabledays @DiamondAddicts @THEWOWSB @GATA_Training @martin_lincoln @Rachel_roupe

— Hayden Halper 2028 (@haydenhalper28) October 7, 2026

I’m gonna be a Terp!! 🐢🐢 I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Maryland. When I first started playing softball, I never imagined how far I’d come! I want to thank my parents and my brother for helping me every step of the way. They have always been there for me no matter what and I could never have done this without them! I would like to thank my trainer, Coach Kelvin. You have made a great impact on my life and I am forever grateful for how you have helped me develop as a person and as an athlete! Thank you to Coach Mertz and Coach G for giving me the opportunity to prove myself on the national level! I also want to thank all my softball teammates and coaches over the years. You guys have supported me throughout my journey and I am incredibly grateful I’ve been able to spend time with you all on and off the field! Most importantly, I want to thank God for giving me life and giving me the talents and abilities I have today! Thank you, Coach Lauren, Coach Katey, and Coach Jen, for this amazing opportunity to pursue my dreams at Maryland! GO TERPS!! ❤️💛🖤 @TerpsSoftball @CoachLaurenKarn @Katey_hendi @JenLapicki @GloryGuy99 @BKMG1967 @TbkCoach @VAGloryFP @tcs_va_softball #committed #B1G

— Maddie Gilbert – 2028 RHP (@GilbertMaddie28) October 3, 2026

Super stoked to announce my verbal commitment to continue my athletic and academic career at McNeese State University! I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the opportunity to play collegiate softball, and blessing me with an amazing support system of family and friends! I am incapable of crediting my parents as much as they deserve, but because of their tough love, support, and guidance I not only get to live out my dream, but I now understand how unconditional love and accountability has shaped me into the person I am today. I thank each and everyone one of my coaches who truly believed in me and pushed me not only as an athlete but as a student and a leader (you know who you are). Alongside that I want to express my gratitude towards the coaching staff at McNeese for their overall investment and belief in me as a player and student. Moving forward I am striving to represent this brand well! Go Pokes! 💙💛 @McNeeseSoftball @hotshotsnation @LandreneauJames @CoachEmPhillips

— Jasper Williams (@JasperW51009) October 6, 2026

I’m so incredibly excited and blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Maryland!!
GO TERPS 🐢❤️
@CoachLaurenKarn @JenLapicki @Katey_hendi @d1vision_sb @ExtraInningSB @LineDsoftball @AshleySeidel @TerpsSoftball https://t.co/vGwUDszLmM

— Rylie Betz (@RylieBetz) October 3, 2026