Taylor Tinsley (left) and Jordan Woolery (center)
Photo by: Crash Kamon
UCLA Places Three on USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
January 21, 2026 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY – UCLA seniors Megan Grant, Taylor Tinsley and Jordan Woolery were named to the prestigious 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List, it was announced Wednesday morning. The list is comprised of 53 student-athletes from 24 universities.
UCLA's three selections are tied for fifth-most in terms of representation. This marks the third straight year Grant and Woolery have appeared on the Watch List, and the second straight for Tinsley. Last season, Grant and Woolery were USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Finalists with Grant making the cut for the Top 25 and Woolery advancing to the Top 10.
Recognized as the most distinguished individual honor in NCAA Division I Softball, two Bruins have received the honor a total of three times. Rachel Garcia was a back-to-back winner of the award for the 2018 and 2019 seasons and Stacey Nuveman won the award in 2002. Six UCLA student-athletes have been a Top 3 Finalist for the award a total of nine times, most recently accomplished by Maya Brady in 2023.
Grant, Tinsley and Woolery were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Americans last season, with Grant and Woolery earning First Team honors and Tinsley on the Third Team. Grant and Woolery combined for 167 runs batted in – the most-ever by a UCLA duo – and 49 home runs, which was good for second among all duos in the country for 2025. Grant's 26 home runs broke the Big Ten Conference single-season record and were second in UCLA's record book. Woolery registered a career-bests across the board with a .424 batting average, 23 home runs and 86 RBIs.
Tinsley was one of three Bruin arms to log 100.0-plus innings in 2025. She posted a 15-6 record and led the staff with a 2.44 ERA over 137.2 innings. Tinsley was extremely efficient, ranking fourth in the nation with a 6.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 11th with a 0.95 WHIP.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday, April 29. While an athlete does not have to be on the Watch List to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the Top 25 Finalists. The Top 10 Finalists will be revealed on Wednesday, May 13, and the Top 3 will be released on Monday, May 18. The 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be announced prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series.
Ticket Information
UCLA opens the 2026 season at Easton Stadium on Friday, Feb. 6 with two games versus UC Santa Barbara (4 p.m.) and Northern Colorado (6:30 p.m.). Single-game home tickets are now available to purchase at this LINK. Additionally, fans with a 2025-26 Olympic Sports Card, available to purchase for $110, will gain admission to every home game.
The next opportunity to watch UCLA play at Easton Stadium after the Tournament will not be until March 6, when the Bruins' open Big Ten play for their second season in the conference.
Preseason Recognition
Softball America Preseason All-Americans
M. Grant – First Team
T. Tinsley – First Team
J. Woolery – First Team
D1Softball Preseason All-Americans
M. Grant – First Team
J. Woolery – First Team
T. Tinsley – Second Team
USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
M. Grant
J. Woolery
T. Tinsley
UCLA's three selections are tied for fifth-most in terms of representation. This marks the third straight year Grant and Woolery have appeared on the Watch List, and the second straight for Tinsley. Last season, Grant and Woolery were USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Finalists with Grant making the cut for the Top 25 and Woolery advancing to the Top 10.
Recognized as the most distinguished individual honor in NCAA Division I Softball, two Bruins have received the honor a total of three times. Rachel Garcia was a back-to-back winner of the award for the 2018 and 2019 seasons and Stacey Nuveman won the award in 2002. Six UCLA student-athletes have been a Top 3 Finalist for the award a total of nine times, most recently accomplished by Maya Brady in 2023.
Grant, Tinsley and Woolery were named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Americans last season, with Grant and Woolery earning First Team honors and Tinsley on the Third Team. Grant and Woolery combined for 167 runs batted in – the most-ever by a UCLA duo – and 49 home runs, which was good for second among all duos in the country for 2025. Grant's 26 home runs broke the Big Ten Conference single-season record and were second in UCLA's record book. Woolery registered a career-bests across the board with a .424 batting average, 23 home runs and 86 RBIs.
Tinsley was one of three Bruin arms to log 100.0-plus innings in 2025. She posted a 15-6 record and led the staff with a 2.44 ERA over 137.2 innings. Tinsley was extremely efficient, ranking fourth in the nation with a 6.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 11th with a 0.95 WHIP.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday, April 29. While an athlete does not have to be on the Watch List to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the Top 25 Finalists. The Top 10 Finalists will be revealed on Wednesday, May 13, and the Top 3 will be released on Monday, May 18. The 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be announced prior to the NCAA Women's College World Series.
Ticket Information
UCLA opens the 2026 season at Easton Stadium on Friday, Feb. 6 with two games versus UC Santa Barbara (4 p.m.) and Northern Colorado (6:30 p.m.). Single-game home tickets are now available to purchase at this LINK. Additionally, fans with a 2025-26 Olympic Sports Card, available to purchase for $110, will gain admission to every home game.
The next opportunity to watch UCLA play at Easton Stadium after the Tournament will not be until March 6, when the Bruins' open Big Ten play for their second season in the conference.
Preseason Recognition
Softball America Preseason All-Americans
M. Grant – First Team
T. Tinsley – First Team
J. Woolery – First Team
D1Softball Preseason All-Americans
M. Grant – First Team
J. Woolery – First Team
T. Tinsley – Second Team
USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
M. Grant
J. Woolery
T. Tinsley
Players Mentioned
UCLA Softball Postgame - Coach Inouye-Perez & Players, vs. Tennessee (June 1, 2025)
Sunday, June 01
UCLA Softball Postgame - Coach Inouye-Perez & Players, vs. Texas Tech (May 31, 2025)
Saturday, May 31
Highlights - UCLA Softball vs. Oregon (May 29, 2025)
Thursday, May 29
UCLA Softball Postgame - Coach Inouye-Perez & Players, vs. Oregon (May 29, 2025)
Thursday, May 29