Texas Tech picked up one of the best softball pitchers in the NCAA in NiJaree Canady and it only cost them 1.05 million dollars. Canady was the 2024 softball collegiate player of the year, the All-Pac-12 first-team selection, and the 2024 Pac-12 pitcher of the year. The Matador Club agreed to NIL terms with Canady. Displaying their commitment to the men and women of Texas Tech Athletics. While this is a big move for the Texas Tech Athletics, it also sent shockwaves throughout the country.
There were talks about Canady going to OU, Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas and Florida. Even though she would never take a trip to visit the Gators, she would visit some of those universities. Canady would eventually decide to either remain at Stanford or transfer to Tech. The Oklahoman would go on to write “No offense to the fine folks of Lubbock, but Canady has to be among the few to ever make the decision she did.”
This is true, talent like that typically doesn’t come to Lubbock. Micah Hudson is another player that comes to mind as he was a 5-star receiver from Lake Belton. Before him, I can’t think of talent like that walking into Texas Tech. Geographical, entertainment and other factors make it difficult for recruits to come here. We look outside the city to see dirt and fields. There’s no real attraction to the city, no minor league baseball team like Midland or Amarillo. No city life like Austin or Dallas but one thing is for sure.
The people of Lubbock are loyal to Tech through and through. That right there is a great selling point. The former Stanford pitcher would carry over some great personal statistics with a 0.53 ERA and 243 Strikeouts, making her #1 in both categories. As the city continues to develop, I hope that we can allure more talent to be willing to come like Canady. It’s going to be exciting to watch the direction of where the program goes.
