Gators Softball Welcomes Six on Signing Day

The Florida Gators softball team added six new players to its roster Wednesday during National Signing Day.

https://twitter.com/GatorsSB/status/1591098788256821250?s=20&t=Sw0DzGNUn-WITKgoHU7NRQ

Ava Brown, Alyssa Hovermale, Ariel Kowalewski, Cassidy McLellan, Keagan Rothrock and Mia Williams joined Tim Walton’s Gators, making them the top-rated recruiting class of the 2023 cycle, according to Extra Innings Softball.

Signing Class Information

Florida’s 2023 National Signing Day crop outperformed Oklahoma, the two-time national champion.
The 2023 class includes students from all over the nation, including representation from Florida, Texas, Indiana and California.

The distinguished signing class is the second in program history to include multiple Gatorade Player of the Year winners, with Brown winning this year’s Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and Rothrock earning the 2022 National Gatorade Player of the Year to go with her two Indiana Gatorade Player of the Year awards from this year and last year.
Together with two National Gatorade Player of the Year winners, the Gators have signed 11 state Gatorade Player of the Year winners, two of whom have won the honor numerous times. Additionally, as they compete in their last seasons on their various high school and travel teams, this group of players still has the chance to increase their list of accomplishments for the approaching 2023 awards cycle.

Softball Coaching Staff

The new signees were asked about one of the significant factors behind their commitment to the University of Florida, and they all emphasized the one-of-a-kind coaching staff. The coaching staff has built a consistent program that has included multiple national and conference championship wins. Head coach Tim Walton has guided the Gators to 16 regional appearances, 14 super regionals, and 11 WCWS. His championship-winning 2015 team received numerous honors, including five All-Americans, the WCWS Most Outstanding Player, and the National Coaching Staff of the Year from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Also, as of right now, the Gators softball program is ranked No. 2 in the nation. The new signees state they are excited to be part of a winning program.

Gator Legacy

A Florida Gators’ legacy is also represented in this year’s class. Williams, a second-generation Gator whose parents, Jason and Denika, both attended UF and played sports for the Gators. Gator great Jason Williams transferred from Marshall University to play under Gator legend Billy Donovan. Williams was the starting point guard in the 1997–98 season. During his time at the University of Florida, he averaged 17.1 points, 2.8 steals and 6.7 assists per game. Denika Williams was on the track team and was a two-time All-American in javelin. Williams seeks to carve her own path and is excited to be part of the Gator family, as she is happy to be continuing the Gator legacy.