The 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) draft has officially wrapped up, and it was a night dominated by dominant arms. In a clear sign of the premium placed on elite pitching, the top three selections were all hurlers, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting second season.
Leading the charge, the Carolina Blaze kicked off the draft by selecting Tennessee star Karlyn Pickens with the No. 1 overall pick. Not far behind, the Texas Volts grabbed Texas Tech sensation NiJaree Canady at No. 2, while the Oklahoma City Spark rounded out the top three by picking Belmont’s Maya Johnson. The draft saw 17 selections across six teams, all drawn from a pool of college players who earned "Golden Tickets" this year, making them eligible for the professional stage.
The first non-pitcher to hear her name called was UCLA’s Megan Grant, who went fourth overall to the Portland Cascade. Grant was one of three Bruins drafted, leading all college programs, as teammates Jordan Woolery and Taylor Tinsley also found new homes. This year marks a significant shift for the AUSL, which is transitioning from a touring model to a city-based structure. With the season kicking off on June 9, fans can look forward to 50 exclusive games on ESPN, including the championship series.
Pickens, a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, is in the midst of another dominant campaign for the Lady Vols. The 6-foot-1 standout from Weaverville, North Carolina, ranks eighth nationally with a 1.44 ERA and leads the nation in hits allowed per seven innings (3.06). She also holds the record for the fastest pitch in Division I softball history, clocking an incredible 79.4 mph during last year’s Super Regional.
As for Canady, the 6-foot right-hander from Topeka, Kansas, has been nearly untouchable this season. She ranks sixth in the country with a 1.30 ERA, fourth in hits allowed per seven innings (3.48), and tenth in total strikeouts with 194. Off the field, she’s made headlines as the highest-paid player in college softball, earning over $1 million from Texas Tech’s NIL collective. Last season, she was a consensus first-team All-American and was named National Pitcher of the Year by both D1 Softball and the NFCA.
Meanwhile, Johnson made history as the first mid-major player to receive a Golden Ticket from the AUSL, proving that talent can come from anywhere. As the draft wraps up, all eyes are now on the upcoming season, where these stars will trade college jerseys for professional ones. Whether you’re cheering for a powerhouse pitcher or a breakout hitter, the AUSL is shaping up to be a must-watch league for softball fans everywhere.