2027 Recruiting: Haylen Ayers

[LuvBball]

If she really wants to play both sports then Texas & Tennessee may be the teams to beat. I do think though, that most of these players end up choosing one or the other.

I dont think Texas will let her play both sports. If memory serves thats why Maggie Mendelson chose Nebraska over Texas. Then again, that was vball-bball so maybe it'll work out since bball would (seemingly) be priority and then she'd get to softball when the season ends

 

[southie]

I dont think Texas will let her play both sports. If memory serves thats why Maggie Mendelson chose Nebraska over Texas. Then again, that was vball-bball so maybe it'll work out since bball would (seemingly) be priority and then she'd get to softball when the season ends

Did you see the IG link I posted a few weeks ago? Doubt she'd be meeting and taking photos with both the Texas softball and basketball coaches and players if that was going to be an issue.

But, as has been stated by others, I agree that I don't think she'll end up playing both sports in college. On the other hand, maybe she's just that talented and competitive that she can and will prove us doubters wrong.

 

[DefenseBB]

Softball and Basketball at the elite collegiate level is a tough double to pull off. Softball begins the season in late Feb and elite Hoop teams play until last weekends in March or early April. Not sure how an elite softball coach would feel not having a star player ineligible for 2 months and only available for 6 weeks of the season all 4 years.

 

[southie]

Softball and Basketball at the elite collegiate level is a tough double to pull off. Softball begins the season in late Feb and elite Hoop teams play until last weekends in March or early April. Not sure how an elite softball coach would feel not having a star player ineligible for 2 months and only available for 6 weeks of the season all 4 years.

Depends on the softball program. Those at the top are the ones who are now funding the maximum allowable 25 full scholarships. I'm sure they could find room to use one of those 'ships on an elite prospect who at a minimum could be the designated hitter as they transition their way from hoops to softball for the season at hand. This is the first academic year for the 25 scholarship/roster maximum. Texas only has 23 players on its 2025-26 roster; so that tells me there would be room at programs who manger their rosters similarly.

A player who chooses to play two sports in college will count one scholarship against each sports program. But, if you think about it, only one sport has to actually pay the tuition, housing, etc. So, although it's double-counting, it's not double expensing.

 

[BobbyJ]

Depends on the softball program. Those at the top are the ones who are now funding the maximum allowable 25 full scholarships. I'm sure they could find room to use one of those 'ships on an elite prospect who at a minimum could be the designated hitter as they transition their way from hoops to softball for the season at hand. This is the first academic year for the 25 scholarship/roster maximum. Texas only has 23 players on its 2025-26 roster; so that tells me there would be room at programs who manger their rosters similarly.

A player who chooses to play two sports in college will count one scholarship against each sports program. But, if you think about it, only one sport has to actually pay the tuition, housing, etc. So, although it's double-counting, it's not double expensing.

Mostly correct. Most often a two sport athlete will have a full scholarship for their primary sport and be counted as a preferred walk-on for the other. Although at a smaller or more financially challenged school they may go with a partial scholarship for each sport. That way the two programs can spread their available money around better.

 

[southie]

Mostly correct. Most often a two sport athlete will have a full scholarship for their primary sport and be counted as a preferred walk-on for the other. Although at a smaller or more financially challenged school they may go with a partial scholarship for each sport. That way the two programs can spread their available money around better.

'
The rule has changed. Scholarship/roster spot counts against both sports now.

 

[BobbyJ]

'
The rule has changed. Scholarship/roster spot counts against both sports now.

Yes of course, I’m aware of that.

 

[visitingcock]

'
The rule has changed. Scholarship/roster spot counts against both sports now.

Bit with the new roster spots available under the House Settlement it won’t really matter much anymore