OKLAHOMA CITY — Hailing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Jordy Frahm makes her mark in history as the program’s first-ever USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award winner after receiving the prestigious honor at tonight’s 2026 NCAA Softball Women’s College World Series (WCWS) banquet in Oklahoma City, Okla. The award has recognized outstanding athletic achievement by Division I softball players across the country for the past 24 seasons, with Frahm representing the sixth two-way recipient since the award’s inception in 2002.
“I just want to say thank you to USA Softball and recognize how much amazing talent is in our sport right now and in this room,” said Frahm during her acceptance speech at tonight’s banquet. “There are so many people who could be standing here, so this is an incredible honor.”
Frahm, a three-time Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honoree and All-Big Ten First Team selection, cemented herself as one of the nation’s top two-way players, ranking among NCAA leaders on both sides of the ball with a 1.15 ERA (No. 4), 12 saves (No. 1), a 3.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio (No. 3) and a .848 slugging percentage (No. 39). During the 2026 season, the Nebraska standout set a new program single-season record with 12 saves. Frahm remained a steady force in the circle throughout her senior campaign, compiling an 19-4 record while tossing 225 strikeouts in 163.2 innings pitched — a total that ranked ninth nationally. Claiming her second career Big Ten Pitcher of the Year honor (2025, 2026) and third overall conference pitcher of the year accolade (Big 12 in 2023), Frahm helped guide the Huskers to the program’s first-ever Super Regional host bid, where Nebraska welcomed No. 15 Oklahoma State to Lincoln. Against the Cowgirls, she recorded a .500 batting average and tossed eight innings with nine strikeouts to help the Huskers punch their ticket to the 2026 WCWS.
“I just want to thank my teammates, my coaches and all of the support staff for Nebraska Softball,” said Frahm. “This has been such a special year, and without all of you, it’s not happening. I have just never been more motivated by the love of the people I get to spend every day with.”
Along with Frahm, the Top 3 Finalists for the 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year included UCLA’s Megan Grant and Florida State’s Isa Torres.
Previous winners of the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year include Stacey Nuveman (UCLA – 2002), Cat Osterman (Texas – 2003, 2005, 2006), Jessica Van der Linden (Florida State – 2004), Monica Abbott (Tennessee – 2007), Angela Tincher (Virginia Tech – 2008), Danielle Lawrie (Washington – 2009, 2010), Ashley Hansen (Stanford – 2011), Keilani Ricketts (Oklahoma – 2012, 2013), Lacey Waldrop (Florida State – 2014), Lauren Haeger (Florida – 2015), Sierra Romero (Michigan – 2016), Kelly Barnhill (Florida – 2017), Rachel Garcia (UCLA – 2018, 2019), Jocelyn Alo (Oklahoma – 2021, 2022), Valerie Cagle (Clemson – 2023), NiJaree Canady (Stanford – 2024) and most recently, Bri Ellis (Arkansas – 2025).
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year is voted on by coaching representatives of 10 Division I Conferences in the 10 USA Softball Regions, members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country as well as past winners of the award.
Paired with the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, USA Softball is also in its 24th season of presenting the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll, which is released every Tuesday throughout the regular season. Follow along with Division I NCAA Softball all season long at USASoftball.com.