Utah Valley University softball head coach Cody Thomson completed his 2026 recruiting class this July by signing College of Southern Idaho pitcher Emerson Fuller and Salt Lake Community College outfielder Jettlee Ioane. The two transfers join a roster already bolstered by several other recent additions to the Wolverines' 2027 squad.
Fuller brings elite pitching
In an announcement from July 9, Utah Valley University Athletics confirmed that Emerson Fuller, a Lehi High School product, has signed to join the team for the 2027 season. Fuller arrives in Orem following a dominant stint as a pitcher for the College of Southern Idaho Golden Eagles.
During her time with the Golden Eagles, Fuller served as a primary workhorse for the Scenic West and Region 18 champions. In her most recent season, she pitched 121.2 innings and recorded 79 strikeouts, maintaining a 3.80 ERA while posting a 16-5 record in the SWAC. Her performance helped lead CSI to its fifth consecutive NJCAA National Tournament appearance.
Fuller's success at the junior college level follows an impressive 2025 campaign where she acted as the co-ace of the CSI pitching staff. During that season, she recorded a 2.81 ERA with 57 strikeouts in 82.1 innings pitched. That year, she helped CSI secure a share of the SWAC championship alongside Salt Lake Community College and later defeated the Bruins during the Region 18 tournament.
Lehi standout returns home
Before her time at CSI, Fuller was a standout performer for Leiente High School. As a senior in the 6A classification, she earned first team All-State honors, and she previously received honorable mention All-State recognition during her junior year in 5A.
Her high school career was marked by significant statistical production, as she recorded a 34-20 win-loss record and accumulated 274 strikeouts over those two seasons.
Ioane adds offensive depth
The Wolverines also bolstered their lineup with the addition of Jettlee Ioane, a transfer from Salt Lake Community College. According to an announcement made by the university on July 6, the Mapleton native will serve as a redshirt junior for the upcoming season.
Ioane brings significant offensive production to the UVU outfield. During her 2024 campaign at SLCC, she led the Bruins with a .518 batting average, contributing eight home runs, 22 doubles, and 69 RBIs. She continued that momentum this past spring, hitting .307 with six home runs, 12 doubles, and 45 RBIs, while also recording a team-high four triples.
Ioane has been recognized for her consistency at the collegiate level, earning first team All-Region honors following each of her seasons at SLCC.
Local athletic pedigree
Prior to her collegiate career, Ioane was a multi-sport athlete at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork. She earned All-State honors in both softball and volleyball during her junior and senior years.
As a senior at Maple Mountain, she recorded five home runs, 12 doubles, two triples, and 27 RBIs, leading her team to the 5A state tournament. Ioane is also well-known in the local athletic community as the daughter of former NFL defensive tackle Junior Ioane, who played for Arizona State before a seven-season professional career with the Raiders, Texans, and Giants.
Completing the 2026 class
The arrivals of Fuller and Ioane mark the final pieces of a significant summer recruiting period for Coach Thomson. Fuller is identified as the 13th and final member of the 2026 recruiting class.
She joins several other transfers who were added to the roster earlier this summer, including Ellie Pond from Grand Canyon University, Michelle de la Cruz from Southern Utah University, and Jettlee Ioane from Salt Lake Community College. These additions follow an initial recruiting phase announced last fall, which saw the signing of nine incoming freshmen.
