Jordyn Adams, a 26‑year‑old former Los Angeles Angels first‑round pick, has surprised many by enrolling at Southern Methodist University and joining the Mustangs football team.
Adams was selected 17th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft and signed a $3.5 million contract, but his professional baseball stint produced only 38 games and a .165 batting average.
Because he never attended college, Adams retains NCAA eligibility, a circumstance that clears the path for him to play football at SMU without the usual academic barriers.
SMU’s football program, coached by Rhett Lashlee, has compiled a 31‑10 record over the last three seasons, offering a competitive environment that attracted Adams.
The timing aligns with a transformative era in college athletics: recent name, image and likeness reforms have created substantial financial incentives for student‑athletes, making scholarships comparable to professional contracts.
The NIL Landscape Transforms College Athletics
The new financial realities have turned scholarships into multimillion‑dollar opportunities, reshaping recruitment strategies and allowing athletes like Adams to weigh sport against earnings.
Analysts predict that such cross‑sport transitions will become more common as players seek the best blend of exposure, competition and monetary reward.