Former Arizona outfielder Dakota Kennedy is going someplace the Wildcats know well. Arkansas announced the signing of Kennedy on Wednesday morning.
A complete player and two-time NFCA All-American
Welcome to Arkansas, Dakota Kennedy! pic.twitter.com/XjQrDfuf2R
— Arkansas Softball (@RazorbackSB) June 25, 2025
In recent years, Arizona has made trips to Arkansas in the postseason, regularly knocking the Razorbacks out. The two teams were slated to meet in the Super Regionals again this year, but the Wildcats fell to Ole Miss at home in regionals. The Rebels then went to Fayetteville and dismissed the Razorbacks despite the efforts of USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Bri Ellis.
Kennedy is the biggest loss for the Wildcats in this transfer season. She is a two-time NFCA All-American who has been a starter since her freshman year.
Kennedy’s departure was a bit of a surprise, although a published report says that she was contacted by go-betweens for Texas Tech in April with offers of a big payday if she went into the portal. She was linked to the Red Raiders, Texas, and UCLA during the portal recruiting season, but Arkansas came on late to land her.
It was assumed that her recruitment was complete since she has been posting photos from Spain over the last week or so.
Outfield will be a bit of a question mark for Arizona next year. They still have star centerfielder Regan Shockey, but the other two-thirds of the outfield transferred out. Kaiah Altmeyer ended up with the defending national champion Texas Longhorns.
The Wildcats bring in freshman Molli Daley and transfers Addison Duke and Tele Jennings. They also brought in former Florida outfielder/designated player Layla Lamar for a visit, but Duke and South Carolina are in on her, as well. Lamar is the daughter of Duke head coach Marissa Young.