University of Arkansas softball player Bri Ellis has been named collegiate Player of the Year by USA Softball, an award that has recognized the top NCAA Division 1 softball player for the last 23 seasons.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year is voted on by coaching representatives of nine Division I Conferences in the 10 USA Softball Regions, members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country, and past winners of the award.
“This award means so much to softball history, and to be cemented into softball history forever is unreal,” said Ellis. “It means so much, and I’m super proud of myself and my team. I thank them for helping me because there are no individual awards without team success. All of my coaches were super important in my process, and I will thank them until the day I die,” she added.
Ellis led the nation with a slugging percentage of 1.142 and an on-base percentage of .646. She finished the season with a batting average of .457 and 58 hits, including nine doubles and 26 home runs.
Ellis holds single-season program records for home runs (26) and RBIs (72) at Arkansas and has tied the SEC’s single-season record for home runs. She is the first player since 2010 to finish the regular season ranked in the top two for both home runs per game (2nd, 0.51) and walks per game (2nd, 1.24), hitting a home run once every 4.88 at-bats.
Nationally, Ellis is among the top 10 for batting average (.457 – 8th), home runs (26 – 3rd), on-base percentage (.646 – 1st), RBIs per game (1.31 – 9th), slugging percentage (1.142 – 1st) and walks per game (1.16 – 2nd).
The other three finalists for the 2025 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year included Nebraska’s 2025 Big Ten Pitcher & Player of the Year, Jordy Bahl, and Texas Tech’s Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, NiJaree Canady.
Photo Credit: Arkansas Razorback Softball
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