Another member of the Iowa Hawkeye softball team is off to a new school. Jena Young, who entered the transfer portal following a successful season for the Hawkeyes this past spring, has committed to Alabama.

Young, a former all-stater at Winterset who was the 2023 Gatorade Iowa Softball Player of the Year, will have two years of eligibility left for the Crimson Tide. 

Over the past two years, Young started in all 99 games Iowa played. She was a two-time all-Big Ten first team selection while also earning NFCA second team all-region status.

"I am excited to be part of the Alabama family and this team," Young said. "I am so thankful for the opportunity to play for Coach Murphy and this coaching staff who have created such a special program."

OFFICIAL✅

Welcome Jena Young (@youngjena) to the Alabama Softball family!

📰Read More: https://t.co/1zaplS1FWu#Team30 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/L2R5dO4D4i

— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) June 24, 2025

Young hit .359 with 56 total hits, 43 runs scored, five triples, 34 walks and seven steals - all numbers that led Iowa. She was also second on the team with 10 doubles and 27 RBI as a sophomore.

In her first season with the Hawkeyes, Young hit .373 with a .382 mark in Big Ten Conference play. She had 15 multi-hit games that season.

While competing for Winterset, Young helped the Huskies win two state championships and left the school as the program leader in single-season home runs, runs scored, RBI and slugging percentage.

Young and star pitcher Jalen Adams were among those who entered the transfer portal at Iowa after the school hired a new head coach. The Hawkeyes played for three different head coaches this past year, winning over 30 games.

Adams has since signed with Arizona to continue playing softball.

MORE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS NEWS:

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• New No. 1 in Iowa high school baseball in 4A this week
• Regina's Tate Wallace picks up SEC football offer
• Valley has a new head boys basketball coach