SEC transfers Rodriguez, Walker join Auburn softball for 2026

A pair of veteran Southeastern Conference athletes, infielders Destiny Rodriguez and McKaela Walker, will continue their softball careers at Auburn, co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux announced Thursday.

SEC transfers Rodriguez, Walker join Auburn softball for 2026SEC transfers Rodriguez, Walker join Auburn softball for 2026
David Gray/Auburn Tigers

AUBURN, Ala. – A pair of veteran Southeastern Conference athletes, infielders Destiny Rodriguez and McKaela Walker, will continue their softball careers at Auburn, co-head coaches Chris and Kate Malveaux announced Thursday. 

Rodriguez reunites with the Malveauxs as spent the last three seasons at Tennessee, helping the Lady Volunteers to a pair of Women’s College World Series appearances. Walker is also an experienced athlete within the league, having spent three seasons at LSU.

The pair join an already loaded transfer portal class that features Kylie Shaw (Florida), Abby Herndon (Ole Miss), Ella Harrison (Rutgers) and Alyssa Hastings (Lipscomb).

Destiny Rodriguez_20250623_SB_Recruit_DG_0215

DESTINY RODRIGUEZ

Position: Infield

Bat/Throw: Right/Right

Hometown: Live Oak, Texas

Previous School: Tennessee

High School: Judson High School

Highlights: Spent the last three season at Tennessee, helping the Lady Volunteers to Women’s College World Series appearances in 2023 and 2025 … appeared in 114 games, making 93 starts at Tennessee … added 67 career hits, including eight doubles and five home runs, with 19 runs scored and 36 RBI … held a .311 batting average and a .439 on-base percentage in her last season on Rocky Top … holds a career .974 fielding percentage … 2022-23 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll … was a highly coveted recruit out of Judson High School … collected Second Team All-State and First Team All-District honors as a junior … earned Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-District honors … played travel ball for Texas Bombers Gold

Kate Malveaux on Rodriguez: “Des is a true competitor who knows the game and loves it even more. She brings a work ethic and tenacity to her game that leads others to do the same. Her experience on SEC championship and WCWS teams will bring a perspective our Auburn Family is hungry for. Des has been in our offensive system before and thrived within it. We can’t wait for her grittiness to shine on the Plains. Having coached her during our time at Tennessee, we know that she’s one heck of a ball player and an even better person. She’s the perfect fit for our program.”

McKaela Walker_20250623_SB_Recruit_DG_0248

MCKAELA WALKER

Position: Infield  

Bat/Throw: Right/Right

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia  

Previous School: LSU  

High School: Marietta High School  

Highlights: Appeared in 56  games and made 28 starts over her three seasons at LSU … added 14 career hits, including five extra-base hits, 21 career runs scored and 17 RBI … mostly used as a designated player during her time in Baton Rouge … was a three-time All-Region selection out of Marietta and led the team to its first ever appearance in the state playoffs in 2019 … played for the Lady Dukes and East Cobb Bullets over the course of her travel career … was a top-20 recruit according to Extra Inning Softball

Kate Malveaux on Walker: “McKaela is an incredibly athletic and powerful addition to our roster. She’s a force on the field, who loves going on the journey with her coaches and teammates to strive for personal greatness and team success. Adaptable and resilient, Walker brings explosiveness and physicality to our game. We are excited about what she brings to our program this season.”