Makenna Bellaire’s softball journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Hailing from Lutz, Florida, and playing for Land O’Lakes High School, Bellaire distinguished herself both on the field and in the classroom. Over three high school seasons she recorded a .489 batting average, amassed 90 RBIs, hit 41 doubles and 17 home runs, and earned three-time Class 6A All-State honors She also excelled academically, becoming a three-time All-State Scholar-Athlete.
Her performance didn’t stop there. She was named District 10 Player of the Year and a First-Team All-State selection, demonstrating her elite-level talent . On the travel-ball circuit, she further honed her craft with Virginia Unity Johnson/Ricks.
In November, she was named the Alliance Fastpitch National Player of the Month for October, showcasing her prowess beyond her school team . Her blend of athleticism, softball IQ, leadership, and academic dedication set the stage for a high-profile college decision.
Bellaire’s recruitment process attracted attention from top-tier programs: Florida State, Tennessee, and others. But NFL fans known for her preference were taken aback when she announced her early decision to join the Florida Gators as a mid‑year enrollee, graduated early, and enrolled in January 2025 (
Joining Florida, a perennial powerhouse in NCAA softball, she was immediately immersed in a competitive environment under Coach Tim Walton. Her early accomplishments included making five starts at catcher across 13 games, earning her first career start against Delaware on February 8, and her first hit and run on February 22 versus New Mexico State
Academically, Bellaire aimed high: she planned to pursue a law degree alongside softball. As quoted on Florida’s site: “Academically, Bellaire’s goal is to earn her law degree from Florida” This dual focus strengthened her appeal as a scholar-athlete, a balance that Oklahoma’s program would also appreciate.
Bellaire’s offers from Florida State, Tennessee, and other elite programs reflect her status as the nation’s No. 2 recruit. Let’s consider the unique pull each school exerted:
Florida
- National championship contender under Tim Walton.
- A blend of tradition with a well‑rounded academic structure.
- Ideal for a dual‑career athlete aiming for legal studies.
Florida State
- A consistent powerhouse in ACC and national tournaments.
- Provided a fast-track environment with fewer mid‑year enrollee options.
- Comparable on-field opportunity, but with a different campus and academic vibe.
Tennessee
- SEC competitor with strong regional influence and robust athletic culture.
- High-energy fan base and tradition, but again only marginally different athleticwise.
Oklahoma
- The most decorated program in NCAA softball history: eight national championships, including back‑to‑back titles in 2023 and 2024
- Under legendary coach Patty Gasso (31st season in 2025) OU offers an unmatched championship pedigree.
- A transition into the SEC meant Premier competition; OU’s move in 2024 made it more attractive in the same conference Bellaire was already part of.
- An impressive freshman class and transfer wave made Oklahoma a supportive place for early impact recruits like Bellaire .
Oklahoma’s softball dynasty is peerless: national titles in 2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021–2024, eight WS championships total The 2024 title marked a historic four‑peat: the first in college softball history . Their tradition of excellence continued into 2025, with strong SEC performances and WCWS appearances (
2025 marked Oklahoma’s first full SEC season — a leap into arguably the toughest softball conference, featuring powerhouses like Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and LSU. The SEC’s depth meant Bellaire would compete weekly against elite talent in regular-season games—a clear developmental boon.
Coach Patty Gasso’s record speaks volumes: the program won eight national titles under her guidance, tying her with the winningest coach in Division I softball history Her leadership and consistency make OU a dream environment for ambitious players seeking championships and personal growth.
Post‑2024, OU saw many veteran departures—only eight returning players from the 2024 roster, signaling a major transition . The infusion of fresh talent from recruits and transfers shows Gasso rebuilding with purpose. Preseason rankings still placed OU at #3 behind Texas and Florida , indicating they remained national contenders.
Oklahoma added key transfer talents: outfielder Abigaile Dayton (.431 average at Utah), pitchers Sam Landry (Louisiana), Isabella Smith (Campbell), catcher Isabela Emerling (UNC), and infielder Ailana Agbayani (BYU) This mirrors their commitment to loading the roster with immediate-impact talent like Bellaire.
Experienced pitchers like Isabella Smith and Sam Landry backed by coach Jennifer Rocha, as well as returning staff like Kiersten Deal and Paytn Monticelli, created opportunities and depth in the circle
Early 2025 stats showed OU’s offense had six players hitting at least 11 homers; newcomer Nelly McEnroe‑Marinas and Gabbie Garcia were notable contributors . The balanced approach—power, patience, and consistency—made the Sooners formidable.
At Florida, Bellaire served as a backup catcher, getting valuable innings and providing rest for the starter Jocelyn Erickson
At Oklahoma, however, her path is more complex. The Sooners already have strong catching depth, but a mid‑year enrolee of Bellaire’s caliber stands a good chance at competing for starting time—especially given her accolades. Additionally, OU’s emphasis on dual-role players could give her opportunities as a designated hitter or utility player. Her early joining means she’ll be familiar with the staff and system by the 2026 season.
Her academic ambitions would be well-supported too—legal fields are robust at the University of Oklahoma, making dual-career dreams plausible.
- Florida: SEC competition, legacy under Coach Walton, academic access, hometown proximity.
- Oklahoma: A dynasty with eight national titles, elite coaching, SEC ranking, a balanced roster, and strong title aspirations.
- Florida offers solid academic standing, but Oklahoma’s law programs and support systems (like the OU Law School pipeline) provide strong career pathways beyond softball.
Playing in the national spotlight, especially in the SEC, increases visibility for pro scouts and international teams. Oklahoma’s women’s softball program thrives on media presence: conferences like SEC Network and ESPN coverage are regular—ideal for media exposure and NIL opportunities. This helped propel Louisnā native Jocelyn Erickson to transfer and further her career.
Bellaire stated earlier she aspired “to play pro or on team Canada,” which visibility and competition at Oklahoma would support
With catcher Isabela Emerling and others, Bellaire’s addition boosts depth. Given her early enrollee status, she’ll be ahead on insight into pitching staff, offseason training, and chemistry—potentially supplanting or sharing starting roles.
Bellaire’s intensity as a top-tier high school player adds to internal competition, pushing all players to elevate their game, and aligning with Coach Gasso’s high-expectation standards.
Landing a top-2 national recruit boosts the Sooners’ profile, sends a message that they remain both relevant and dominant—even after a dynasty—and bolsters future recruiting.
- Championship culture.
- Opportunity for immediate contribution in a high-profile program.
- Annual deep postseason runs—WS tournament visibility.
- Academic and professional support for dual-career success.
- A high-caliber recruit ready to contribute early.
- Enhanced positional flexibility.
- Continuity in recruiting dominance.
- A storyline: a top recruit choosing dynasty over other elite offers.
Makenna Bellaire’s choice to play for the Oklahoma Sooners over Florida State, Tennessee, and even the University of Florida reflects a strategic alignment of her personal ambitions with program strengths.
- Softball pedigree: Oklahoma’s consistent excellence under Patty Gasso gives Bellaire a stage to develop into a championship-winning athlete.
- Academic support: With aspirations toward law, Bellaire benefits from OU’s resources.
- Conference competition: The SEC’s elite environment ensures Bellaire competes—and learns—from the best, minimizing any talent plateau.
- Playing time prospects: The depth of the roster and the unpredictability of college transitions gives her multiple pathways to playing time and leadership roles.
- Legacy continuation: By joining the Sooners, Bellaire invests her effort into continuing a storied legacy—a narrative that resonates with both team and fanbases.
