Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady Launches First College Player Edition Cleat

Canady's ADZERO Instinct 2.0 PT NiJa cleat will debut at the Mary Nutter Classic this week.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Texas Tech softball star NiJaree Canady has become the first college player to launch her own player edition cleat, the ADZERO Instinct 2.0 PT NiJa. The custom-designed cleats will feature Canady's signature, number, and a nod to her home state, and will debut during the team's games at the Mary Nutter Classic tournament this week.

Why it matters

Canady's achievement marks a significant milestone for college athletes, as she becomes the first softball player to have her own player edition cleat. This highlights the growing opportunities for college athletes to build their personal brands and earn NIL deals, which was recently legalized.

The details

Canady, a Mahomes athlete for the second year, is the first Texas Tech athlete in any sport to have their own player edition cleat with adidas. The shoe features a classic scarlet red and white color scheme to match the Red Raiders, along with unique details like a nod to Canady's home state, her number 24, and her signature in gold.

  • Canady announced the launch of her ADZERO Instinct 2.0 PT NiJa cleat on her social media platforms.
  • Canady will wear the new cleats during Texas Tech's games at the Mary Nutter Classic tournament starting on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • The player edition cleats will go on sale to the public later this season.

The players

NiJaree Canady

A standout softball player for Texas Tech, Canady is the first college softball player to have her own player edition cleat.

Texas Tech

The university that Canady plays for, which is the first school to have an athlete in any sport launch their own player edition cleat.

adidas

The athletic apparel company that partnered with Canady to design and produce her player edition cleat, the ADZERO Instinct 2.0 PT NiJa.

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What they’re saying

“Such a dream come true!! So incredibly blessed and thankful to have the opportunity to come out with my own cleat!!”

— NiJaree Canady (Social media)

What’s next

Canady and the Texas Tech softball team will debut the new cleats at the Mary Nutter Classic tournament in California this week, where they will play six games across four days starting on Thursday.

The takeaway

Canady's achievement as the first college softball player to have her own player edition cleat is a significant milestone for college athletes, showcasing the growing opportunities for them to build their personal brands and earn NIL deals in the new era of college sports.