National Signing Day 2022 was on November 9 and high school seniors across the nation lived out their dreams of inking National Letters of Intent to play at the college level.
As noted in the Extra Inning Softball published that day, the Texas Longhorns had a very strong class, signing six excellent players culminating in a No. 4 ranking of the Top 50 College Signing Classes for the 2023’s (click HERE to see the list).
Texas Head Coach Mike White agreed that his half dozen recruits give UT a great influx of new talent who will head to Austin next fall.
“We are very excited to welcome in an outstanding 2023 Texas softball signing class,” White said in the school’s official release.
“I certainly feel that this is one of the best incoming classes in the nation, and it will truly cover all major areas of need with pitching, power, speed and defense.”
All six signees were listed among Extra Inning Softball’s 2023 Extra Elite 100 recruiting rankings (with four of those highlighted in the national top 12).
Here’s the half dozen listed in alphabetical order by last name:
- Ryan Brown(IF/Thompson’s Station, Tenn./Independence High School/Top Gun 18U National); ranked #51 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100
- Kayden Henry(OF/Texas City, Texas/Dickinson High School/Bombers HTX Gold-Smith); ranked # 5 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100
- Victoria Hunter(IF/Houston, Texas/St. Pius X High School/Impact Gold Jackson); ranked #12 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100
- Teagan Kavan(P/West Des Moines, Iowa/Dowling Catholic High School/Iowa Premier Fastpitch); ranked #11 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100
- Katie Stewart(C/IF/Frankfort, Illinois/Lincoln-Way East High School/Lady Dukes 18U Lamar/Burgess & Extreme Elite 18U National); ranked #9 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100
- Adayah Wallace(OF/Plano, Texas/Plano West Senior High School/ Lady Dukes 18U Lamar/Burgess); ranked 99 in the 2023 Extra Elite 100
“We are very excited to welcome in an outstanding 2023 Texas softball signing class,” Coach White said in the school’s signing release last week.”
“I certainly feel that this is one of the best incoming classes in the nation, and it will truly cover all major areas of need with pitching, power, speed and defense.”
*****
Today’s “I Signed” spotlight is on Ryan Brown,
A two-sport athlete at Independence H.S. in both softball and basketball, Brown earned both 2022 All-District 12-4A and District Softball Offensive Player of the Year honors and was a finalist for Wilco Softball Player of the Year following a junior season that saw her hit a remarkable .627 overall (42-for-67) with 29 runs scored, 12 doubles, three triples, seven HR’s and 27 RBIs, while owning a 1.922 OPS.
As a sophomore, Brown hit at a .402 (33-for-82) clip with 21 runs scored, 17 extra-base hits, including six HRs, and 19 RBIs.
With her club program Top Gun 18U National, she has been selected as a Premier Girls Fastpitch (PGF) All-Region nominee and previously hit .400 overall for the 16U squad back in 2020.
Adds Coach White on his new, who will join the team in the Fall of 2023:
“Ryan carries a physical presence at the plate, and along with her leadership qualities, is an exciting player to add to our program. The Texas fans will love to watch her play at UT.”
Here’s more on the senior from Tennessee as we asked her about why she choose the Longhorns and much more…
Name: RYAN BROWN
Hometown/ST: Thompson’s Station, Tenn.
Grad Year: 2023
Position(s): OF/IF
Club Team: Top Gun 18U – Turner
High School (City/ST): Independence High (Thompson’s Station, Tenn.)
GPA: 3.3
College: Texas
Preferred College Major: Psychology
When and how did you commit to the Univ. of Texas?
I committed to Texas on October 22, 2022. I went on my visit, I got a feel for the town and the campus and knew UT was right.
When did you visit the campus and what impacted you most from your visit there?
I visited that weekend, Oct. 20-22. The campus is beautiful and I love the history behind the buildings. There’s also a turtle pond on campus and you can feed them so that’s awesome!
What’s been your most memorable softball experience?
Being on Top Gun. I finally found a team and family with the program and Coach Bob Turner is such a mentor. I am extremely lucky to have him.
What did the college coaches who recruited you say they liked most about your play on the field?
They love the intensity I bring to the field in both hitting and fielding. I’m an all-around player, they say. I’m also able to bring unexpected speed.
Have you set personal goals for yourself for this year? Or in general?
My personal goals are to become faster and to get my body in shape. I have been working out pretty heavily these past three months to help condition myself for the college experience. I love working out now and I’m on the right track to hit my goal.
Do you have any softball superstitions?
Most definitely! Before every at-bat, I draw a cross in the dirt with my bat and every two innings I will draw one (cross) on the baseline on playing at either third or first.
What would you say is your philosophy in life?
Mind over matter… being mentally strong in a game that’s built on failure is so important.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be on-field? And off the field?
On the field: Intense!
Off the field: Laid-back
What do you want to do once your playing career is over?
I love psychology but I also want my language in college to be ASL so I can make an impact on that community. I’m not sure how but I know that’s what I want to do.
What do you feel makes softball such a wonderful sport?
I love how softball truly is a way to connect with other people. You go to different states and learn so many new things. It has so much education in it, if you’re on or off the field.
What’s been your favorite vacation or place you’ve visited?
Colorado. The trip is worth it each year.
What’s been your favorite place to have played fastpitch?
Colorado.
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life?
The feeling that I wasn’t good enough to play at a high level. It took a lot of self-image work, but (and I’m open to talk about it) I stopped doubting myself and played the game with no fear and that’s when I stepped my game up.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you’d want to have with you?
Water purifier.
If you could have dinner with anyone… living or dead… who would it be?
Tupac!
EXTRA INSIGHTS:
What’s your favorite softball item (like preferred bat, glove, etc.)?
My visor. That thing is a life saver, considering I refuse to put my hair up.
Favorite item(s) in your closet:
Any of my Jordans or Air force 1s.
Favorite school subject:
Psychology.
Best way to unwind is… Put a record (vinyl) on and just relaxing.
Who inspires you (athletically & non-athletically):
Athletically: Joclyn Alo.
Non-athletically: All three of my sisters.
What’s playing in your headphones right now?
Any song by Frank Ocean or Princess and the Frog album
Celebrity you’d like most to hang out with…
Kevin Hart.
Calories aside, what food could you eat and never get sick of?
Sushi.
What drives you in life?
My family.
What have you learned most about yourself over the last year or two?
To never, ever give up and it’s OK to put yourself first.
When you leave the sport, how do you want to be remembered and what will you do when you’re finished playing to help grow the game?
When I leave the sport, I want to be a household name, I want to inspire other girls that look like me to go out and give it your all no matter what anyone says about you, because at the end of the day, it’s more than just a game, it’s about building a strong foundation for others.
I want to help grow the game by going to other countries that are less fortunate and giving them the right supplies like bats. helmets, gloves, you know just teaching them the right fundamentals.
It’s a big dream but it’s better to dream BIG than not at all.
