GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Taylor Shumaker of the Florida softball program was named a 2025 NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Top 25 finalist, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced on Friday afternoon.

This year’s finalists represent 24 different universities and 10 NCAA Division I conferences.

The Southeastern Conference leads all conferences with eight honorees.

Shumaker, an outfielder from Fullerton, Calif., ranks fourth in the nation in RBI (69), the most of any Power 4 freshman.

The freshman is batting .373 with team-best 16 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs and 17 stolen bases.

Of her 60 hits, 55% have gone for extra bases, holding a .783 slugging percentage.

Shumaker set new Florida freshman records for both RBI and doubles and is three home runs shy of matching the program’s freshman record for home runs.

On May 8, the list will be trimmed to the top 10 and the three finalists will be released on May 22. The winner will be revealed on May 27.

The list of 25 was selected by the NFCA. The top 10, top three and winner are voted by the NFCA Division I All-America Committee.

To be eligible, student-athletes must be nominated by their member head coach and in their first year of NCAA Division I collegiate competition as a true freshman or redshirt freshman.

Nominated student-athletes remain in consideration for Top-10 selection. 

Gator Great Amanda Lorenz was named the NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year in 2016.

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