Everything is bigger in Texas, including the paychecks. Former Stanford standout NiJaree Canady knows this well, as the reigning USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year announced her intention to transfer to Texas Tech, bringing a close to perhaps the most notable transfer portal pursuit in softball history.
Canady posted a glimmering 0.73 ERA in 37 appearances last year. She's among the hardest throwers to ever grace the sport, recording a scorching 75-mph pitch speed on her rise ball, just two ticks slower than Monica Abbott's record 77-mph mark. With two years of eligibility remaining, Canady appears as much of a surefire bet as one can get in college sports.
Texas Tech is putting its money where its mouth is, reportedly agreeing to shell out a record-breaking amount of money to secure Canady's services.
MORE: How NiJaree Canady's pitch speed compares to Monica Abbott's NCAA softball record
"I could never have imagined this," Canady told ESPN. "But I feel like we need to invest in women's sports. We saw it with women's basketball this year: You invest in women's sports and women's basketball just blew up on a national stage. I think the same thing has happened with softball. ... If I'm even a little part of that, that's my whole dream."
Why did NiJaree Canady transfer to Texas Tech?
As one of college softball's best players, Canady had the pick of the litter when it came to figuring out her next home. In the end, she chose Lubbock, opting to join a Red Raiders side that hasn't made it to the NCAA tournament since 2019.
Why? Well, Texas Tech gave Canady an offer she couldn't refuse. The Red Raiders reportedly will pay her seven figures annually, far larger than anything the Cardinal were willing to offer. The deal was largely influenced by sizable investment from Red Raiders boosters John and Tracy Sellers.
These past two years have been amazing and I thank @StanfordSball for the ride of a lifetime. Excited for what’s ahead! @TexasTechSB pic.twitter.com/C017QT51Gp
— NiJaree Canady (@CanadyNijaree) July 24, 2024
Canady and new head coach Gerry Glasco will have their work cut out for them as they attempt to turn Texas Tech — which finished 29-21 last season and has just six NCAA tournament appearances to its name — into Big 12 contenders. They'll get some help from conference realignment; longtime conference heavyweights Oklahoma and Texas are off to pastures new in 2025.
Despite their struggles in 2024 — former Red Raiders coach Craig Snider resigned at season's end to take an assistant role with Tennessee — there's plenty of promise across Texas Tech's roster. Raegan Jennings earned All-Big 12 honors after posting an .836 OPS across 113 at-bats last year, while Louisiana transfer Chloe Riassetto joins her longtime coach Snider in Lubbock after posting a career 2.21 ERA across two years with the Ragin' Cajuns.
Canady should only add to the fireworks, and if she can take the Red Raiders to new heights in the following two seasons, you'd have to imagine Sellers and Texas Tech's investment would represent money well-spent for the program.