The Texas Longhorns softball program made headlines on June 14, 2025, by securing the top player in the NCAA transfer portal, outfielder Joley Mitchell, a former Texas star who returned after a brief stint at Notre Dame, as reported by ESPN. However, the news was bittersweet, as two-time All-American pitcher Teagan Kavan, the 2025 Womenโs College World Series (WCWS) Most Outstanding Player, shocked fans by transferring to rival Oklahoma with one year of eligibility remaining. The contrasting moves, detailed by Burnt Orange Nation, highlight Texasโ aggressive portal strategy and the seismic loss of Kavan, reshaping the Longhornsโ outlook for 2026.
Mitchell, a 2025 first-team All-SEC selection, re-enters Texasโ lineup after batting .378 with 14 home runs and 62 RBIs in 2025. Her return fills the void left by graduating senior Mia Scott, whose statue unveiling coincided with this announcement. Mitchellโs veteran presence, praised by coach Mike White for her โclutch hitting and leadership,โ strengthens a roster featuring catcher Reese Atwood and outfielder Katie Stewart. Texasโ portal success, including additions like infielder Leighann Goode from Alabama, signals Whiteโs intent to maintain the Longhornsโ No. 1 ranking after their 2025 WCWS title, a 10-4 rout of Texas Tech.
Kavanโs departure, however, is a gut punch. The 6-foot sophomore from West Des Moines, Iowa, was Texasโ ace, posting a 28-5 record, 2.24 ERA, and 227 strikeouts in 2025, including a WCWS-record 31.2 scoreless innings. Her emotional 4-2 win over Oklahoma on May 31, 2025, hours after her grandmotherโs passing, and her dominance over Texas Techโs NiJaree Canady (2-0 in WCWS matchups) cemented her legacy. Kavanโs transfer to Oklahoma, the four-time defending champions, stunned Longhorn Nation. โItโs about chasing another ring and a new challenge,โ Kavan said, per The Oklahoman, noting Oklahomaโs pitching depth and coach Patty Gassoโs mentorship.
Texasโ decision not to pursue Canady in 2024 due to Kavanโs presence now looms large. With senior Mac Morgan also departing, Texas leans on incoming senior Citlaly Gutierrez and sophomore Cambria Salmon, both unproven as aces. Kavanโs move to Oklahoma, where she joins Kelly Maxwell, intensifies the Red River Rivalry, especially after Texas ended Oklahomaโs 25-game winning streak in Oklahoma during the 2025 WCWS. X posts reflected the shock, with fans lamenting, โKavan to OU? Heartbreaking betrayal!โ while others praised Mitchellโs return: โJoleyโs back! Hook โem!โ
Texas remains a 2026 contender, with Mitchellโs bat and a top-10 recruiting class led by pitcher Ava Gall. However, Kavanโs loss to a rival with eight national titles stings, especially given her 3-0 record against Canady and her role in Texasโ first championship. As Longhorn Nation rallies around Mitchell and new additions, White faces pressure to rebuild the pitching staff. Meanwhile, Kavanโs Oklahoma move sets up a dramatic 2026 WCWS showdown, with Texas determined to prove its title was no fluke.
