Bama Central

Alabama Softball Adds First Portal Commitment in Iowa Infielder

Jena Young becomes the first player to commit to the Crimson Tide this offseason after hitting over .350 both seasons at Iowa.

Katie Windham

Alabama softball transfer Jena Young
Alabama softball transfer Jena Young / @jenayoung04 on Instagram

Patrick Murphy has picked up his first transfer portal prospect of the offseason. Former Iowa infielder Jena Young announced her commitment to Alabama softball Wednesday morning on social media.

"Excited to announce my commitment to the University of Alabama!" Young said in an Instagram post. "Roll Tide!"

Young spent the last two seasons at Iowa, hitting .366 for her career with an OBP of .467, seven home runs and 45 RBIs. She led the Hawkeyes last season with a .359 batting average. Her 2025 average would've been good for third on the team at Alabama.

She started all 46 games as a freshman, splitting time between shortstop and second base. Young is a two-time first team all-Big Ten honoree and an all-freshman selection in 2024. Alabama is having to replace senior second baseman Kali Heivilin, and Young will likely be competing for that job.

Young will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Crimson Tide. While she is the first portal commitment, there will likely be a few more. With the addition of Young, Alabama's 2026 roster now has 20 players with 13 returners, six freshman in the signing class and one transfer. The new house settlement allows up to 25 scholarship players on a roster.

Alabama went 40-23 last season with a loss at No. 2 Oklahoma in super regionals to end the year.

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Katie Windham
KATIE WINDHAM

Katie Windham is the assistant editor for BamaCentral, primarily covering football, basketball, gymnastics and softball. She is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama and has covered a variety of Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like The Tuscaloosa News, The Crimson White and the Associated Press before joining BamaCentral full time in 2021. Windham has covered College Football Playoff games, the Women's College World Series, NCAA March Madness, SEC Tournaments and championships in multiple sports.

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