If Florida State is to continue its rise back to national relevancy as many have predicted this offseason, they’ll have to do so without the services of one of their most experienced and productive receivers.
FSU officials confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that Taiwan Easterling has decided to leave the school and pursue a career in professional baseball. Easterling was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 27th round of the June MLB draft.
Head coach Jimbo Fisher is on vacation and unavailable for comment, the school told the Sentinel.
While the Seminoles are seemingly loaded with talent at the wide receiver position, Easterling’s production will certainly be missed.
In 2009, Easterling’s 35 receptions and 442 receiving yards were both good for fourth on the team. Last season as a junior, Easterling finished second on the team with 43 receptions and five receiving touchdowns, and was third in receiving yards with 551.
Easterling was also a member of FSU’s baseball team and, as the paper notes, it’s believed he became the first athlete in ACC history to have played in both the ACC football championship and the ACC tournament baseball championship in the same academic year.
UPDATED 9:27 p.m. ET: Fisher has confirmed that Easterling is indeed leaving the school to for professional baseball.
“Taiwan and I talked and he’s decided to pursue his career in baseball,” said the coach in a statement. “I totally support him 100 percent. He did an outstanding job for us.
“I would have loved to have him back, but I totally understand him pursuing his future endeavors. Baseball is the way for him to go and we wish him nothing but the best.