Jayden Heavener came to LSU’s program as one of the top prospects in her class, but her journey down to the bayou was filled with grit and determination.

Heavener started playing softball at 4 years old, where she began behind the plate as a catcher, but the trajectory of her career changed when she stepped on the mound for the first time at 10 years old.

Jayden was recruited to the Birmingham Thunderbolts Travel Ball organization, where she stayed for the next 3 years and flourished. Her team made it to PFG nationals, where they faced some of the best players and teams in the country.

She struggled on the mound, but when it was time to take her team to the championship, she pitched back to back games and helped them lift the trophy.

Coach Rocky Thompson knew they were taking a risk putting the pressure back on Jayden.

“We were in the loser’s bracket at the time, and they just had to go for it. And they did, and she threw well, and everything was clicking, she was feeling herself, everything was rolling and they rolled the horse.”

Heavener broke on the scene her freshman year at Pace High School in 2021. She recorded 39 strikeouts and 31 home runs during her time with the Patriots and during her senior season, they captured the Florida 6A state championship.

After that incredible season, she was named the MaxPreps 2024 National Player of the Year and the 2024 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year.

It takes a special player to earn these accolades, and Coach Rocky describes Heavener as exactly that.

“We saw her grit, we saw her being a great teammate. We saw that she was determined.”

Jayden ended her high school career as the top prospect in the country, but her loyalties had lied with LSU since her junior year.

Heavener has already cemented herself in LSU’s history, recording 251 strikeouts and 24 wins in her two seasons with the Tigers.