Arizona Softball: Big East Player of the Year Transfers to Wildcats
Arizona Softball has added a huge addition to its roster ahead of the 2026 season as the 2025 Big East Player of the Year, Grace Jenkins, has committed to play for the Wildcats.
Jenkins had a breakout junior campaign, hitting .424 and breaking six single-season UConn program records with 19 doubles, 21 home runs, 65 runs scored, 39 walks, 68 RBIs, and 154 total bases. She also put up strong numbers defensively as she had 193 putouts and 13 assists to go along with a .990 fielding percentage.
She also earned NFCA First-Team All-Region Honors and was named to the BIG East All-Tournament Team this past season, while earning the Big East Freshman of the Year award in 2023.
🚨𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑🚨
— UConn Softball (@UConnSoftball) May 6, 2025
Grace Jenkins is your @BIGEAST Player of the Year‼️ pic.twitter.com/5IzISr2Tvx
Jenkins was a three year starter for the Huskies where she held a career batting average of .384 with 155 hits, 45 doubles, 27 home runs, 129 runs batted in, and a .696 slugging percentage.
The Wildcats announced the decision on social media Friday afternoon.
From the Big East to the Big 12!
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) June 27, 2025
Welcome to the Wildcat family, Grace! pic.twitter.com/NV3yiD11lm
She will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Sarah Person was born and raised in Nebraska and has lived there her whole life. She is a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in sports media and broadcasting. She did everything during her time at UNL, including writing, anchoring, broadcasting, and photography. Sarah has had a lifelong passion for sports and is excited to continue that passion through her work for Softball on SI.
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