
Texas Tech softball has made a significant splash in the transfer portal, securing the commitment of All-American catcher Jasmyn “Jazzy” Burns from Ohio State, as announced on June 7, 2025. This move comes on the heels of the Red Raiders’ historic run to the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) championship series, where they fell just short of the national title against Texas. Burns, a standout sophomore, brings elite offensive firepower to a Texas Tech squad aiming to capture the 2026 national championship under head coach Gerry Glasco.
Burns had a breakout 2025 season at Ohio State, earning National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First-Team All-American honors and a Second-Team All-American nod from Softball America. She posted a remarkable .455 batting average, smashed 25 home runs—setting both Ohio State and Big Ten single-season records—and drove in 72 RBIs. Her 1.546 OPS and 1.006 slugging percentage ranked among the nation’s best, placing her tied for fifth in home runs, fifth in slugging percentage, fifth in total bases (166), and eighth in batting average nationally. Burns’ offensive prowess makes her one of the most impactful bats to enter the transfer portal this offseason.
“Seeing how well Coach Glasco coached his team on the biggest stage, it’s something I would love to be a part of,” Burns said in an interview with RedRaiderSports. “I also would love the chance to play with such an incredible player like NiJaree Canady. I’ve always admired her and her passion for the game.” Burns’ decision to join Texas Tech is a testament to the program’s rising profile, as the Red Raiders look to build around Canady, the 2025 NFCA and Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, for her senior season.
Burns’ addition addresses a key need for Texas Tech, which ranked 80th nationally in home runs per game in 2025 despite finishing top 20 in runs scored. Her power-hitting ability, combined with her defensive skills behind the plate, makes her a significant upgrade over Victoria Valdez, who was steady defensively but struggled offensively. Burns started all 109 games in her two seasons at Ohio State, earning Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors in 2024 with a .298 batting average, nine home runs, and 37 RBIs. Her sophomore campaign elevated her to elite status, culminating in her being named the No. 1 catcher in the CSE Transfer Portal Rankings.
While Softball America’s end-of-season Top 100 player rankings for 2025 are referenced in the provided sources, specific details about Burns’ exact ranking are not explicitly stated. However, her inclusion in the Top 100 is implied given her status as a First-Team All-American and her national statistical rankings. Based on her performance metrics—tied for fifth in home runs, fifth in slugging percentage, and eighth in batting average—it’s reasonable to infer she likely ranked among the top 20 players, if not higher, in Softball America’s list. Her transfer was also noted as the fourth-best in the portal by On3, underscoring her value as a top-tier talent.
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