PROVO, Utah — BYU softball sophomore Ilove’a Brittingham was ranked No. 14 on Softball America’s Preseason Utility Player rankings, the outlet announced on Friday morning.
Brittingham was one of five Big 12 student-athletes named to the 15-player list.
She broke the Cougars’ freshman RBI record with 69 and tied the program’s freshman home run record with 21. Brittingham led the team with 20 multi-RBI games and 19 multi-hit performances. The catcher/outfielder recorded at least five RBIs in four games, including five two-homer performances.
A Nipomo, California, native, Brittingham earned numerous accolades following her freshman season. She was named an NFCA Third-Team All-American, a D1Softball Freshman All-American and a Softball America Freshman All-American. She also received NFCA All-Mountain Region First Team honors, was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 All-Freshman Team, and was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year.
Brittingham continues BYU’s preseason recognition. She was ranked No. 49 on D1Softball’s D100 Preseason Player Rankings earlier this week, while Hailey Morrow was tabbed the No. 9 shortstop on the D1Softball Preseason Shortstop list. Freshmen Kaiya Fabela and Rita Tavita were also named to national freshman watch lists.
The Cougars open the 2026 season at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida on Thursday, Feb. 5.
View the full preseason utility player rankings at Softball America's website.