Five-Star Outfielder Jillian Torres, No. 4 in the Nation, Commits to Notre Dame Over Indiana and Tennessee.

In a major recruiting win for Notre Dame women’s softball, five-star sophomore outfielder Jillian Torres — ranked No. 4 nationally in the Class of 2027 — has officially committed to join the Fighting Irish, choosing South Bend over offers from powerhouse programs Indiana and Tennessee. The announcement is already making waves across the college softball landscape, signaling Notre Dame’s growing dominance in attracting elite-level talent.

Jillian Torres isn’t just another standout high school player. She’s a generational talent whose combination of athleticism, leadership, and instinct has drawn comparisons to some of the sport’s greats. Her decision to commit to Notre Dame not only bolsters the program’s future but also sets a new standard for what’s possible under head coach Deanna Gumpf’s leadership.

A Star in the Making

Torres’s rise through the ranks has been nothing short of meteoric. From the moment she stepped onto the high school field as a freshman, scouts took notice. At just 16, she boasts a blend of speed, power, and defensive prowess that has made her one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. She consistently hits for average and power, regularly leads her teams in stolen bases, and has an arm that shuts down opposing base runners with ease.

More than just stats, what separates Torres is her mindset. Coaches and teammates rave about her work ethic, focus, and ability to elevate the play of those around her. “She’s the kind of athlete who makes everyone better,” said one prep coach. “She’s first to practice, last to leave, and always thinking about how she can improve.”

The Recruitment Battle

Recruiting a player of Torres’s caliber is never easy. From early on, her name was on the radar of nearly every major Division I program. Indiana and Tennessee were considered frontrunners for much of the process. Indiana offered proximity and familiarity, while Tennessee boasted one of the strongest SEC programs in the nation.

But Notre Dame made a compelling case — one built not just on athletic opportunity, but on academics, culture, and legacy. Coach Gumpf and her staff focused on building a relationship with Torres and her family, emphasizing the holistic development of student-athletes and the unique Notre Dame experience.

“It just felt right,” Torres said in her commitment announcement. “Notre Dame is a place where I can compete at the highest level and grow as a person, student, and athlete. The tradition, the people, the campus — everything about it feels like home.”

Why Notre Dame?

Notre Dame’s softball program has been building quietly but steadily into a national force. Under Coach Gumpf, the Irish have made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and consistently finished at or near the top of the ACC. With investments in facilities, recruiting, and player development, Notre Dame is poised to become a perennial contender on the national stage.

For Torres, the decision came down to alignment of values and opportunity. In an era where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and high-powered endorsements play a growing role in recruitment, Notre Dame offered something different — a chance to build a lasting legacy.

“They didn’t just sell me on softball,” Torres said. “They talked to me about leadership, about academics, about life after the game. That meant a lot.”

What Jillian Brings to the Irish

Torres is expected to make an immediate impact when she arrives in South Bend. Projected to play center field, she brings elite range and a strong arm to anchor the Irish defense. Offensively, she’s a dynamic leadoff hitter with gap-to-gap power and a high softball IQ that makes her a threat every time she steps to the plate.

Her presence also brings a new level of competitiveness and intensity that can ripple through the entire roster. As the No. 4-ranked player in the country, she raises the bar — and the expectations — for what Notre Dame can achieve in the next few years.

“I want to win a national championship,” Torres said bluntly. “That’s the goal. That’s the mission.”

Reaction Around the Country

The softball world reacted swiftly to Torres’s commitment. Recruiting analysts called it one of the biggest wins of the year for Notre Dame, praising the program’s ability to beat out multiple SEC and Big Ten contenders for a national top-five recruit.

“Notre Dame just sent a message to the rest of the country,” said a D1Softball analyst. “They’re not just participating in the recruiting race — they’re winning it.”

Even Notre Dame athletes from other sports chimed in on social media, welcoming Torres and celebrating the momentum building within the university’s athletics.

The Road Ahead

While Torres still has two full high school seasons ahead of her, the buzz surrounding her future with the Irish is already building. She plans to continue honing her skills, focusing on strength training, refining her approach at the plate, and studying film to better understand the game.

Torres is also expected to take on a mentoring role in Notre Dame’s future recruiting classes. Her early commitment sets a tone for future prospects and could help Notre Dame attract more top-tier players looking to join a rising program.

“It’s not just about one player,” Torres said. “It’s about building something special — a team, a culture, a championship legacy.”

A Family Decision

Torres’s decision was deeply rooted in family support. Her parents, both former athletes, played a key role in evaluating programs and helping her stay grounded through the intense recruiting process. For them, Notre Dame offered a balance of athletics, academics, and community that matched their daughter’s values.

“It’s more than just softball,” her father said. “It’s about preparing Jillian for life — and we believe Notre Dame is the best place to do that.”

Final Thoughts

In the high-stakes world of college softball recruiting, five-star commitments like Jillian Torres are rare — and program-altering. For Notre Dame, her decision to join the Irish is not just a win on the field, but a signal of where the program is headed. For Torres, it’s the next step in what promises to be an extraordinary journey — one fueled by talent, vision, and a commitment to excellence.

As the countdown to her arrival in South Bend begins, one thing is clear: the future of Notre Dame softball just got a whole lot brighter.