Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel isn’t the first college football player to sign with a Major League Baseball organization, but he is the latest.
Alex Speier of WEEI first reported Wednesday evening that Driskel has signed with the Boston Red Sox, who drafted him in the 29th round last month. Signing the junior was a bit of a surprising move as Driskel hasn’t played competitive baseball since high school, but the organization did secure his rights should there come a point if Driskel chooses baseball over football.
But it doesn’t look like Driskel will. In a statement Thursday, the Gators quarterback insisted he would sick with football.
“I plan on focusing on football and finishing my college career with the Gators,” Driskel said. “After my college football career is over I want to pursue a professional career in the NFL. If I ever decide I want to play baseball, I want to play with the Boston Red Sox who drafted me in the recent draft.”
NCAA rules allow athletes to sign MLB contracts while remaining eligible in football so long as the athlete doesn’t sign an endorsement deal. Theoretically, Driskel could play for the Red Sox and return to the football field for Florida this fall. It just doesn’t sound like that’s going to be the case.