Will UL Softball Have The Top Recruiting Class In The Nation?

Will the Louisiana Ragin' Cajun softball program soon have one of the top recruiting classes in the country?

Well, there are many that follow the sport that believe they're well on their way to having just that.

I'm not a recruiting guy, but I've been hearing a lot of buzz lately about commitments from a number of the top younger players in the nation to UL, so I decided to do some research, and came away excited myself.

According to extrainningssoftball.com, Louisiana head coach Gerry Glasco, who is known as a top-flight recruiter, is well on his way to helping the Cajuns to one of the top recruiting classes of 2021.

Yes, I did say 2021, so we're still a few years away, but players in every sport, both men's and women's, commit earlier and earlier every year.

The bottom line is most elite players commit before their junior years, so if you don't get them early, you probably won't get them.

Apparently, these young ladies want to play for Glasco, and want to play in front of the UL fans, who impressed them during their respective visits, with their enthusiasm and love for the game.

Keep in mind; verbal commitments are unbinding, but let's take a look at a few of the UL commitments that has the softball world taking notice:

Haylie Brunson, a shortstop from Mount Pleasant High School (Pennsylvania), who plays travel ball for the Beverly Bandits of Chicago, committed to Louisiana in early February.

Take a look at Brunson, a left-handed hitting shortstop, below:

Brunson was the first player from the Bandits to ever commit to UL, but her decision may have helped make the decision of some of the other top players in the land to join the Cajuns a little easier.

Kayla Falterman, Samantha Graeter, and Halie Pappion, who all play for the Diamond Sports Hotshots in Texas, committed to the Cajuns shortly after their dramatic 4-3 win over the second-ranked Florida Gators on February 18.

Falterman and Graeter, who have played together for a number of years, committed shortly after Casidy Chaumont hit a walk-off 2-run homer to defeat the Gators, while Pappion, who will be part of the 2022 signing class. committed two nights later.

Graeter, an outfielder/third baseman, attends Oak Ridge High School in Conroe, Texas.

Falterman and Graeter were both named to the 2021 Select 30 All-American Team.

Pappion, a left-handed pitcher from Lake Charles, committed to Louisiana following her two travel ball teammates, and will be part of the 2022 signing class.

Already clocked at 60 mph, Pappion is expected to be a top-flight pitcher at the next level.

A fourth player from the Diamond Sports Hotshots, Samantha Landry, has committed to UL as part of the 2021 class.

A student at Barbers Hill high in Mont Belviue, Texas, Landry is regarded as the best 14 & under pitcher in the state of Texas, and one of the best in the nation.

Finally, a fifth member of the Hotshots, Cecilia Vasquez, a utility player, is committed to UL's 2022 class.   

Cayden Baker, a shortstop/outfielder from Knoxville, Tennessee is another major commitment for UL.

Baker, who plays travel ball for the Tennessee Mojo, committed to coach Glasco prior to the Florida series.

Twin sisters Ellie and Emma Williams, of Westfield School in Perry, Georgia have also joined the list of UL softball commitments for the 2021 class, committing back in January.

The sisters, a pitcher/catcher combination, took an unofficial visit to Michigan, so you know they're highly thought of.

Finally, Lauren Harris, another player most schools in the country were drooling over, has committed to the Cajuns.

And apparently, Glasco and the Cajuns aren't done, as he/they continue to recruit the premier players in the country.

It is my understanding they have at least two more commitments from major recruits.

Again, most softball experts believe that any program in the nation will be hard-pressed to beat the one the Cajuns are working on for 2021.

These are elite player, who could play for anybody in the country, and who could make Louisiana major players on the national stage.

The future looks awfully bright for Louisiana!