Who Plays SEC Softball?

Are you a high school softball player dreaming of playing Division I in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)? Or maybe you're a parent or coach guiding a talented young athlete through the recruiting process? Or even a college coach interested in what your competition is up to? Maybe just an SEC softball fan?

Whether you're planning for the next step or just curious about what it takes to play at one of the top levels of college softball, we thought you’d be interested to see where SEC players come from.

This data is based on a review of current SEC softball rosters for the 2024-2025 school year, giving you an up-to-date look at the makeup of SEC teams.

Where Do SEC Players Come From?

The SEC recruits players from various regions across the United States, with the majority coming from the South. Here's a breakdown of the number of players from each region:

• South: 198 players (60.2%)

• West: 66 players (20.1%)

• Midwest: 54 players (16.4%)

• Northeast: 10 players (3.0%)

• International: 1 player (0.3%) (Australia)

It’s not surprising that so many Southeastern Conference players come from the South. In fact, a large portion of college softball players overall come from that region. And, as most would also expect, California accounts for the large numbers of players coming from out West. The Midwest region is also pretty well represented considering only one SEC school (Missouri) is located in that section of the country. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Kansas also have at least a handful of players in the SEC.

Pitcher Distribution by Region

Overall, about 24% of players on SEC rosters are identified as pitchers. This includes those who also are identified as playing other positions. The percentage of players who pitch from the South, West, and Midwest regions match the overall representation.

While players from the Northeast make up only 3.0% of the SEC player pool, a larger percentage of them are pitchers. In fact, 40% of the players from the Northeast are pitchers (4 out of 10), which shows that SEC programs are still keeping an eye on top pitching talent from the region, despite its smaller overall presence.

Most Represented Home States

The top five states supplying SEC softball players are:

• Texas: 20%

• California: 14%

• Georgia: 9%

• Alabama: 6%

• Florida: 5%

Every SEC program has at least one player from California, except Alabama. All but Alabama and South Carolina have a player from Texas too. Of course, these are the largest U.S. states overall by population. But they’re also hotbeds of softball talent and are represented among SEC softball players beyond their share of Americans generally.

Given the location of the schools in the conference, it’s perhaps not surprising that Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, and North Carolina are also disproportionately home to SEC softball players. Arizona is also well accounted for, consistent with its strong softball tradition.

How Tall Are SEC Softball Players?

Height might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about softball, but it does play a role, especially for pitchers. In the SEC, the average height of non-pitchers is about 5'7", and pitchers tend to be even taller, with an average of nearly 5'9".

Here’s a look at some standout schools when it comes to height:

• Non-Pitchers: The tallest teams include Kentucky, Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Georgia, where non-pitchers average 5’8”.

• Pitchers: Some of the tallest pitchers can be found at Texas A&M, LSU, and Auburn, and Texas, where they average nearly 5’10”.

Although being tall can offer an advantage—especially for pitchers who can generate more power—it’s not a requirement for success. Skill and athleticism are still paramount. However, only 2% of SEC players are listed at heights under 5’4”—though one of them is a pitcher.

Playing Out of State

SEC softball obviously attracts talent from all over the country, and many players choose to play out of state for the chance to compete at the highest levels.

Of course, all of the SEC players from California are attending a school away from their home state. And even though Texas and Texas A&M have heavily in-state rosters, the majority of the SEC players from Texas are playing elsewhere. Likewise, most SEC players from Georgia aren’t playing at the University of Georgia.

Breaking It Down by School

Different SEC schools have varying approaches to recruiting, with some focusing heavily on in-state talent while others cast a wider net.

Texas A&M only has two players on their roster who aren’t from Texas or California. At the other extreme, Auburn has players from 14 different states. Most schools though have players from close to 10 different states.

Here are the top three states represented on each SEC roster:

• University of Alabama: Alabama (7), Arizona (3), Tennessee (2)

• University of Arkansas: Texas (6), Arkansas/California/Florida (2 each)

• Auburn University: Alabama (6), Georgia (4), Texas/Indiana/Texas (2 each)

• University of Florida: Florida (6), California (3), Texas (3)

• University of Georgia: Georgia (9), South Carolina (2), Texas (2)

• University of Kentucky: Kentucky (6), California (4), Indiana (3)

• Louisiana State University (LSU): Louisiana (6), Texas (6), Florida/Georgia (3)

• Mississippi State University: Alabama (3), California (3), Texas (3)

• University of Missouri: Missouri (12), Texas (6), Eight states (1 each)

• University of Mississippi (Ole Miss): California (7), Texas (5), Georgia (4)

• University of Oklahoma: California (8), Hawaii/NC/Oklahoma/Texas (2)

• University of South Carolina: California (5), Georgia (5), South Carolina (5)

• University of Tennessee: Tennessee (5), Texas (4), Illinois/North Carolina (3 each)

• University of Texas: Texas (12), Missouri (2), 5 states (1 each)

• Texas A&M University: Texas (14), California (7), Arizona/Kansas (1)

What the Numbers Mean for Aspiring Players

You already know that getting a chance to play in an elite league like the SEC is a rare opportunity that few will attain. These data provide valuable insights into the recruiting patterns and regional representation of the conference, but it’s important to remember that numbers don’t tell the whole story. While certain regions and states may dominate the rosters, that doesn’t mean players from less-represented areas can’t make their mark.

If you’re a highly talented player with a passion for the game, your path to college softball doesn’t depend solely on where you’re from. Coaches are always on the lookout for hardworking athletes, regardless of geography. Whether you're from a well-represented state like California or Texas or a smaller region, opportunities exist if you're willing to put in the effort, improve your skills, and seize every chance to showcase your talent. Two-thirds of the states are currently represented in the SEC, and there’s no reason another can’t be soon!

Ultimately, the data highlights trends, but every player’s journey is unique. Your drive, commitment, and love for the game can take you anywhere—regardless of the statistics.