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Introducing Alabama softball's trio of signees in the 2027 signing class

Patrick Murphy and Alabama signed three players at the beginning of the fall signing period.
ByShea Shockley
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May 28, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Patrick Murphy smiles in the second inning against the UCLA Bruins during the NCAA Women’s College World Series at Devon Park. Alabama won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images
May 28, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Patrick Murphy smiles in the second inning against the UCLA Bruins during the NCAA Women’s College World Series at Devon Park. Alabama won 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Fresh off a 56-win season that culminated in advancing to the semifinals of the Women's College World Series, Patrick Murphy's club is gearing up for another deep run in 2027. But before Team 31 can get started, Murphy wrapped up the high school recruiting for Team 32.

Nov. 11 is National Signing Day, and Alabama softball has announced three signees: Lyla Morici, Ava Paradise, and Morgan Waln. Their arrival is expected in fall 2027. The recruiting class is ranked 21st in the country, according to Rivals. All three players are four-star recruits and look to make big impacts on Team 32 and beyond.

Alabama softball's tiny but mighty 2027 signing class

Lyla Morici will come to the Tide from Kell High School in Marietta, Georgia. She is the reigning Class 4A Region 6 Player and Pitcher of the Year. The high school senior has 14 school records already before her final season has started, including career wins at 77 and ERA at 1.31. With such a highly touted and frankly young pitching staff already in Tuscaloosa, Morici could add even more star power. The new five-in-five rule in college athletics means even staff ace Jocelyn Briski could return for Team 32. Briski could serve as a key leader for Lyla and help her develop alongside pitching coach Lance McMahon.

Infielder Ava Paradise signed with Alabama out of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and Gilmour Academy as the state's top-ranked shortstop. Paradise is another player in this class that I believe stands to benefit from the potential return of fifth-year talent. A stout middle infield duo, Jena Young and Salen Hawkins, may both be able to return due to the new legislation. Should they return, the defensive superstars would be sure to have an impact on the incoming freshman stud's fielding skills, as both have been known to make highlight-reel plays look routine.

Finally, Morgan Waln will arrive in Tuscaloosa as a particularly interesting player. Coach Patrick Murphy even referred to her as Alabama's "No. 1 outfield recruiting choice." With a mix of lefty pop and speed, she is sure to remind Alabama fans of one Audrey Vandagriff, currently patrolling the outfield and hitting left-handed dingers herself. As Murph loves to say, "speed never slumps." With a duo like Waln and Vandagriff, speed seems inevitable for Team 32… one stolen base at a time.

The 2027 recruiting class for Alabama's softball program may be tiny, but boy are they mighty. A lethal combination of pitching, power, and speed: all three signees are sure to make an impact at Rhoads Stadium come 2028. You'd better keep your eye out for Lyla Morici, Ava Paradise, and Morgan Waln. I know I will.

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