Former outfielder Jordyn Adams of the Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers plans to give football another chance. The 26-year-old former first-round MLB player plans to play for SMU this fall, The Athletics confirmed Tuesday with a program source, though Adams has not yet officially signed with the Mustangs. On3 first reported Adams’ plans Tuesday.
Adams, a former top-100 football recruit at Green Hope High School in Cary, N.C., committed to play wide receiver for Larry Fedora in North Carolina his senior year of high school.
Adams signed a national letter of intent in December 2017, choosing the Tar Heels over Alabama and Clemson, among others. He was in the same recruiting class as NFL stars Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle and Ja’Marr Chase.
But when the Angels selected him with the 17th pick in the 2018 MLB draft, Adams signed a $4.1 million contract, reneging on his promise to play both football and baseball for the Tar Heels.
He spent four seasons in the Angels farm system before making his major league debut in 2023. He played in 38 games in the big leagues, but spent most of his career in the minors before the Brewers released him from their Triple A roster on May 25.
Adams’ eligibility to play college football depends on possible changes in eligibility rules. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors met in late April instructed his cabinet to promote the age-based ‘Five-for-Five’ model that would give athletes five years to compete, beginning immediately after high school graduation or their 19th birthday – whichever comes first. But existing eligibility rules are expected to be applied to athletes registering for the 2026-2027 school year.
Adams isn’t the first athlete to leave professional baseball to quit and try to play college football. Former Marlins outfielder Monte Harrison, 30, came to Arkansas in 2024 after spending nine seasons in professional baseball.
— Chris Vannini contributed reporting.
