Florida’s 2028 softball class is off to a fast start, with power-conference pledges, a heavy FAU haul, and a clear Tampa Mustangs pipeline already taking shape.
The NCAA recruiting calendar flipped on Sept. 1, and Sunshine State juniors wasted little time. More than 20 Florida-based or Florida-developed 2028 players have verbally committed so far, spanning SEC, ACC, Big Ten, American, and Sun Belt programs plus in-state destinations. The list is still early. Plenty of elite talent remains uncommitted, but the first wave already shows the state’s usual mix of speed, arm strength, and versatility.
Commitment Tracker: https://floridafastpitch.com/florida-softball-commitment-tracker/
Submit your Commitment: https://floridafastpitch.com/submit-commitment/
Hometown dream and elite arms headline the class
Paityn Donalson of Lakeland Christian is the highest-profile in-state stay. The left-handed-hitting outfielder/utility player, who has started varsity since seventh grade, pledged to Florida State. Career high school numbers through her sophomore year: .595 batting average, 172 runs, 156 hits, 117 RBI, 17 home runs, and 93 stolen bases across 88 games. As a sophomore she hit .693 with 11 homers, 50 RBI, and 35 steals in 27 games. Santa Fe Inferno coaches describe her as a true speedster who puts constant pressure on defenses. Donalson called FSU a longtime dream.
Duke landed one of Florida’s top pitchers in La’Breah Sands (Montverde Academy/Bartow area). The 5-foot-10/5-foot-11 right-hander, now with Lady Dukes Lamar 18U, carries an On3 91 rating (No. 95 nationally, No. 5 in Florida). She has previously ranked among Extra Elite’s top pitchers, posts mid-to-upper 60s velocity with strong command, and contributes offensively (exit velos in the upper 70s, home-to-first times around 2.6 to 2.7 seconds). Sands is a high-academic student (4.3 GPA range cited) and 3A state champion. She committed Sept. 20.
Missouri added 5-foot-10 catcher Ella Fleming of Eustis (Mount Dora). Fleming, who plays for Unity Johnson, earned a 93 On3 rating (No. 57 nationally, No. 7 at catcher, No. 2 in Florida). She is a USA Softball All-American and HPP participant. High school line: .373 career average with power (five homers, 16 doubles in two varsity seasons) and elite defense (.980 to .986 fielding). She committed Sept. 13.
Oregon pulled four-star outfielder Evie Martin of Eau Gallie (Melbourne). Martin, who plays for Birmingham Bolts 18U Premier, received a 90 On3 rating and committed Sept. 20. Scouts note a powerful left-handed swing.
Notre Dame doubled up with two Intensity KOD products: 5-foot-10 left-handed pitcher Riley Boop (Jensen Beach/Port St. Lucie) and outfielder Sasha Campbell (Windermere Prep/Orlando). Boop posted strong high school and club pitching numbers, including a 1.438 ERA and 165 strikeouts in 112 innings in one documented stretch.
FAU loads up; Tampa Mustangs feed multiple programs
Florida Atlantic has been the most aggressive in-state collector so far with five 2028 pledges: Fatima Masri (OF/UT, Bham Bolts), Braylee Rano (OF/C, Santa Fe Inferno), Addison Queen (3B, Sarasota Heat), Willa Pagnutti (OF, Tampa Mustangs), and Stella Lynton (OF, Tampa Mustangs). The Owls are building a local core while competing in the American Athletic Conference.
The Tampa Mustangs organization is the clearest pipeline. In addition to Pagnutti and Lynton (FAU), the club has produced Eva Martinez (C/OF, Timber Creek/Orlando) to App State, Grayson Demartino (SS/UT) to UNF, plus catcher Campbell Downing and right-hander Morgan Spinner to USF. Martinez, a standout defender with a 1.76 pop time at Perfect Game events, committed after strong freshman and sophomore production at Timber Creek.
Other notable destinations include Purdue (Reese Randall, MIF/UTL, Top Gun National; she hit .518 at Cardinal Gibbons), Ole Miss (Adair Amsler, OF, Unity Amsler/Johnson), Howard (Crysaria Joseph, 3B/UT), Campbell (Ryleigh Davis, P), Bryant (Briella Martinelli, MIF/UTL), and Florida National (Emily Williams, RHP, Jacksonville Storm).
Early snapshot of the 2028 Florida board
| Player | Pos | Club | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eva Martinez | C/OF | Tampa Mustangs - Rene | App State |
| Briella Martinelli | MIF/UTL | NJ Intensity National KOD | Bryant |
| Ryleigh Davis | P | Team NC Yates | Campbell |
| La’Breah Sands | RHP | Lady Dukes Lamar | Duke |
| Fatima Masri | OF/UT | Bham Bolts 2028 Premier | FAU |
| Braylee Rano | OF/C | Santa Fe Inferno - Nowling | FAU |
| Addison Queen | 3B | Sarasota Heat Dover | FAU |
| Willa Pagnutti | OF | Tampa Mustangs - Rene-Daddis | FAU |
| Stella Lynton | OF | Tampa Mustangs - Rene-Daddis | FAU |
| Emily Williams | RHP | Jacksonville Storm | Florida National |
| Paityn Donalson | OF | Santa Fe Inferno - Nowling | FSU |
| Crysaria Joseph | 3B/UT | Carolina Elite - Fusetti | Howard |
| Ella Fleming | C/INF | Unity Johnson 18U | Missouri |
| Riley Boop | LHP | NJ Intensity KOD National | Notre Dame |
| Sasha Campbell | OF | NJ Intensity KOD National | Notre Dame |
| Adair Amsler | OF | Unity Amsler/Johnson | Ole Miss |
| Evie Martin | OF | Birmingham Bolts 18U Premier | Oregon |
| Reese Randall | MIF/UTL | Top Gun National | Purdue |
| Grayson Demartino | SS/UT | Tampa Mustangs - Fowler | UNF |
| Campbell Downing | C | Tampa Mustangs - Fowler | USF |
| Morgan Spinner | RHP | Tampa Mustangs - Fowler | USF |
Florida remains one of the deepest talent pools in the country. Many of these players already have multi-year varsity experience, national club pedigrees, and measurable tools (pop times, exit velos, speed, strikeout rates) that translate. The window just opened. Expect more Power Five and high-major additions, additional in-state clustering, and movement as unofficial visits and fall showcases continue. For now, the 2028 Florida class has already announced it will be loud.
