A Dual‑Sport Transition
Jordyn Adams, once known for his powerful swing in Major League Baseball, is now lacing up a football jersey for the SMU Mustangs.
The 26‑year‑old former Los Angeles Angels outfielder was a top wide‑receiver prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, a group that also produced star quarterback Ja'Marr Chase.
After signing with the Angels for a lucrative bonus, Adams climbed through the minor leagues, delivering 55 home runs and compiling 13 big‑league hits across 27 games spanning 2023 and 2024. He announced his retirement from baseball two weeks ago, ending a brief but eventful MLB stint.
Adams now prepares for his first college football season at Southern Methodist University, where he will play wide receiver. His decision follows the path of Monte Harrison, another MLB alum who made the switch to the gridiron.
The timing is notable because the NCAA is considering rule changes that could affect eligibility for athletes who, like Adams, have not yet begun their collegiate eligibility clock. This loophole gives him several years of athletic eligibility remaining.
SMU’s coaching staff sees Adams as a versatile weapon, blending his baseball‑honed hand‑eye coordination with raw football talent. The move has generated buzz among analysts who view it as a bold experiment in cross‑sport athleticism.
While the Mustangs gear up for the upcoming season, the broader sports community watches closely. If the experiment succeeds, it could reshape how former professional athletes approach post‑prime careers, blurring the line between baseball and football.
Looking Ahead
Adams will join a SMU squad that is eager to inject fresh energy into its offense. His journey from the diamond to the gridiron underscores a growing trend of athletes leveraging multi‑sport experiences for new challenges.