Shortstop | University of Florida | AUSL Golden Ticket Recipient
About Kenleigh Cahalan
Kenleigh Cahalan is a senior shortstop at the University of Florida and the 11th player to receive an AUSL Golden Ticket for the 2026 College Draft. The 5-foot-8 infielder transferred to Florida ahead of the 2025 season after spending 2024 at Alabama and emerged as a key piece of the Gators' SEC infield, posting a career-best .302 average with 10 home runs in her junior year.
Cahalan's freshman season as a member of the 2023 TUCCI/NFCA D1 National Freshman of the Year Top-25 Finalist class established her as one of the SEC's top young infielders. She was named to the 2024 All-SEC Second Team as a sophomore at Alabama and earned 2026 Softball America Defender of the Week honors on March 24, 2026.
Cahalan wears jersey No. 31. A native of Trussville, Alabama, she prepped at Hewitt-Trussville High School.
Career Highlights
- AUSL Golden Ticket recipient (April 19, 2026)
- 2024 All-SEC Second Team
- 2026 Softball America Defender of the Week (March 24)
- 2025 NFCA Player of the Week (Feb. 25)
- 2023 TUCCI/NFCA D1 National Freshman of the Year Top-25 Finalist
- 2023 NFCA All-South Region Third Team
- 2025 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
- 2025: .302 BA, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 121 assists (4th in SEC)
- Career-high 6 RBI vs. Iowa State (Feb. 23, 2025)
AUSL Draft Result
- Golden Ticket: April 19, 2026
- Draft: May 4, 2026 on ESPN2
- AUSL Team: Portland Cascade (Round 4, Pick #17)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kenleigh Cahalan?
Kenleigh Cahalan is a senior at floridagators and the 11th AUSL Golden Ticket recipient for the 2026 College Draft. 2024 All-SEC Second Team.
What AUSL team did Kenleigh Cahalan get drafted to?
Kenleigh Cahalan was selected by the Portland Cascade in Round 4 (Pick #17) of the 2026 AUSL College Draft on May 4, 2026.
When was Kenleigh Cahalan's Golden Ticket announced?
Kenleigh Cahalan received her AUSL Golden Ticket on April 19, 2026, making her the 11th player selected for the 2026 AUSL College Draft.
Connect with Kenleigh Cahalan
- Instagram: @kenleigh_cahalan
- Official School Bio: Floridagators Athletics
Other Golden Ticket Recipients
- NiJaree Canady — Texas Tech, Pitcher
- Reese Atwood — University of Texas, Catcher
- Leighann Goode — University of Texas, Shortstop / Second Base
- Sydney Stewart — University of Arizona, Catcher
- Karlyn Pickens — University of Tennessee, Pitcher
- Dakota Kennedy — University of Arkansas, Outfielder
- Kenzie Brown — Arizona State University, Pitcher
- Taryn Kern — Stanford University, Infielder
- Maya Johnson — Belmont University, Pitcher
- Jocelyn Erickson — University of Florida, Catcher
- Megan Grant — UCLA, Utility
- Taylor Tinsley — UCLA, Pitcher
- Jordan Woolery — UCLA, Infielder
- Amari Harper — University of Oregon, Utility
- Ailana Agbayani — University of Oklahoma, Second Baseman
- Peja Goold — Mississippi State, Pitcher