June 15, 2020 

By Jon Feyen
ScoutU 

Rylie Giddens was willing to go anywhere to make her college softball dream come true. After talking with double-digit schools, the 2020 ScoutU outfielder achieved her goal and committed to the University of Texas-San Antonio, an NCAA Division I school. 

Giddens got a late start in the recruiting process when ScoutU started helping her in July 2019, but she drew plenty of eyes after making 2nd-Team All-State at Blue Valley High School (Kansas). When she visited UTSA, everything there felt like her new home. 

“The coaches are different — in a good way — than any other coaches I’ve met,” Giddens said. “They made me feel like I was already a part of the team and made me feel very welcome. I’m going to admit Texas is really far from home, but the coaching staff, campus and the girls I’ve met made me feel like I’m going to love it there. I am really excited for school to start and see what UTSA has in store for me!” 

The Roadrunners put together a nice spring (14-11) before the pandemic shut down last season. UTSA’s February slate included wins over Wichita State, Kansas and Rutgers. Giddens believes she’ll fit right in with the team culture. 

“I am beyond excited to play in college and at this level, because it has been my dream since I was a little girl,” Giddens said. “I really do think UTSA is the best college for me. The campus was really nice and seemed safe. Everything I would need like a grocery store and clothing shops were all within a 3-mile radius of the school, so I wouldn’t have to go very far from the campus.” 

Giddens has great speed (2.85 to 1st) as a left-handed hitter, and she booked a .423 batting average during travel ball. The final piece she needed was a partner who could connect with programs across the country. 

“Scott Woodcock and ScoutU helped get my name out there to colleges who needed my positions,” Giddens said. “He got them to contact me and helped get game footage and video out there for colleges to see. Scott was a big help in getting me recruited. He did the best he could for how late I was in the recruiting process.” 

Woodcock had been familiar with Giddens for years because he previously coached her older sister. He knew that her size and skills would be major assets at the next level. 

“It was an honor to help Rylie through the process,” Woodcock said. “She had a ton of interest. My phone rang a lot. She even received a D1 offer just based on my conversations with that coach. But Rylie did a lot of research to ensure she wasn’t wasting anyone’s time and was staying on path for her perfect fit. We sent her down to UTSA after Coach (Carlton) Salters invited her to camp to get a closer look. They were sold on her immediately. Camp wasn’t even over when Rylie received her official offer, and by then, she was in love.”