Three UCLA softball stars have officially taken their talents to the next level, getting selected in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) College Draft on Monday. Given their standout seasons, it came as no surprise that these Bruins heard their names called—especially since all three had already secured AUSL Golden Tickets back on April 19, guaranteeing their draft spots.
Leading the charge was senior utility player Megan Grant, who went No. 4 overall to the Portland Cascade—one of two new expansion teams joining the AUSL this season. Grant has been an absolute force at the plate, ranking second in the nation with 35 home runs this year and earning her second straight nod as a USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 finalist. Oh, and did we mention she also played on UCLA's national championship-winning women's basketball team before stepping back onto the softball diamond in 2026? Talk about a multi-sport star. Grant will be the lone Bruin on the Cascade's roster for the upcoming season.
Not far behind, senior infielder Jordan Woolery was snapped up as the final pick of the first round, going No. 6 overall to the Utah Talons. The reigning AUSL champions didn't stop there—they doubled down on UCLA talent by selecting senior pitcher Taylor Tinsley in the second round with the No. 12 overall pick. The Talons, who claimed the inaugural AUSL championship in 2025, clearly know a winning formula when they see one. Plus, they've got a familiar face in the front office: UCLA associate head coach Lisa Fernandez serves as the Talons' general manager.
Woolery and Tinsley will be joining a trio of former Bruins already on the Utah roster: Jadelyn Allchin, Megan Faraimo, and Sharlize Palacios. For Woolery and Tinsley, it's a bit of a reunion—Allchin and Palacios were teammates during their sophomore season in 2024, while Faraimo was part of the squad during their freshman year in 2023.
Woolery, like Grant, is a two-time USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 25 finalist and currently ranks third nationally with 33 home runs. She's also chasing history, on pace to become the first NCAA player ever to finish a season with 30+ home runs, 100+ RBIs, and a .500+ batting average. As for Tinsley, she's been lights out in the circle, earning 2025 NFCA Third Team All-American honors and an All-Big Ten First Team selection this season. With a 26-5 record, a 2.91 ERA, and a team-leading 140 strikeouts across 37 appearances in 2026, she's more than ready for the pro stage.
Whether they're launching home runs or shutting down lineups, these Bruins are proving that UCLA's softball legacy is alive and well—and now, it's headed to the AUSL.