Texas Softball Enters 2026 as SEC Favorite, Four Longhorns Named to Preseason All-SEC Team
Everything about Texas Softball right now screams powerhouse. The Longhorns are coming off a historic 2025 campaign that ended with the program’s first-ever Women’s College World Series title, and the expectations heading into 2026 are sky-high. On Thursday, the SEC made it official: Texas is the preseason favorite to win the conference, and four of its stars - Reese Atwood, Kayden Henry, Teagan Kavan, and Katie Stewart - have been named to the Preseason All-SEC Team.
Let’s break this down.
Texas: The Team to Beat
In a vote by the league’s 15 head coaches, Texas topped the preseason SEC poll with nine first-place votes and 189 total points. Oklahoma came in just behind with six first-place votes and 186 points, setting the stage for what could be another fierce Red River rivalry in the SEC. Tennessee, Florida, and Arkansas round out the top five.
The Longhorns’ four preseason All-SEC selections tie them with Oklahoma for the most in the conference, underscoring just how loaded this Texas roster is. And if last season was any indication, this team isn’t just talented - it’s battle-tested and built for another deep postseason run.
Reese Atwood: The Gold Standard Behind the Plate
Let’s start with Reese Atwood, who’s not just the best catcher in the SEC - she’s arguably the best in the nation. In 2025, she became the first Longhorn to win both the Diamond Sports/NFCA Catcher of the Year and the Johnny Bench Award, recognizing her as the top collegiate catcher in the country. And she earned every bit of it.
Atwood launched 21 home runs last season, becoming the first player in program history to hit 20 or more in back-to-back years. She drove in 89 runs - second-most in Texas history, just one shy of the record she set herself in 2024.
Her .393 batting average, .504 OBP, and .822 slugging percentage gave her a staggering 1.326 OPS. That’s not just production - that’s dominance.
Defensively, she was just as sharp. A .988 fielding percentage, 313 putouts, and only four errors across 68 games.
Teams knew better than to test her arm - and when they did, they paid for it. She threw out four of seven attempted base stealers, and her presence behind the plate was a stabilizing force for the entire pitching staff.
Kayden Henry: The Spark Plug in Center
Junior outfielder Kayden Henry brings speed, consistency, and a knack for getting on base. She hit .409 last season - third-best on the team - and led the Longhorns in runs scored with 72. Her 85 hits and .454 on-base percentage were both career highs, and she added four home runs and 30 RBI to round out her offensive profile.
Henry’s ability to set the tone at the top of the lineup can’t be overstated. She’s the kind of player who puts pressure on defenses every time she steps in the box - and her 1.007 OPS shows she’s not just a slap hitter; she’s a threat.
Teagan Kavan: The Ace with Ice in Her Veins
When Texas needed a big-time performance in the circle last year, Teagan Kavan delivered - over and over again. The junior right-hander went 28-5 with a 2.16 ERA, five shutouts, and 230 strikeouts across 207 innings. She held opponents to a .217 average and was a rock for the Longhorns from February through June.
But it was her WCWS performance that etched her name in Texas history. Kavan didn’t allow an earned run in 31.2 innings - the longest such streak in WCWS history - and picked up six wins in the tournament, more than any Longhorn pitcher has ever recorded in a single postseason. That earned her the WCWS Most Outstanding Player award and solidified her status as one of the elite arms in the country.
Katie Stewart: The Swiss Army Knife
Utility player Katie Stewart did a little bit of everything for Texas in 2025 - and she did it all at a high level. Starting all 68 games, Stewart slashed .381/.455/.711 with 17 home runs, 80 RBI, and 75 hits. She ranked second on the team in doubles, homers, RBI, and total bases, and she reached base 30 times via walk or HBP.
Stewart’s ability to hit for power and average - while playing multiple positions - makes her one of the most valuable players in the SEC. She became just the second player in Texas history to drive in 70 or more runs in a season, and her postseason performance earned her a spot on the WCWS All-Tournament Team.
What’s Next
Texas opens its 2026 campaign at the UTSA Invitational on Friday, Feb. 6, against a top-10 Nebraska squad. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.
CT at Roadrunner Field in San Antonio. The full TV schedule will be announced later, but make no mistake - this team will be must-watch from day one.
With a loaded roster, elite talent across the board, and the confidence of a defending national champion, Texas enters the season with a target on its back - and all the tools to handle it.