A dual‑sport pivot
Jordyn Adams, a North Carolina native who once dazzled as a five‑star football recruit in 2018, is now swapping the baseball diamond for the college gridiron. After being selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft, he climbed through the minor leagues, amassing 165 stolen bases and earning a reputation as a dynamic outfielder.
Earlier this year Adams enrolled at Southern Methodist University, where he will join a program that has become a recent powerhouse. The Mustangs captured the ACC championship and advanced to the College Football Playoff in 2024, a feat that has heightened expectations for the upcoming season.
CBS Sports and ESPN have both placed SMU among the top 20 programs in their latest 2026 preseason rankings, listing the team at 20th and 22nd respectively. The preseason poll also saw SMU ranked 16th, reflecting the buzz surrounding the team’s prospects.
Analysts note that Adams’ athleticism and speed could translate well to the college game, especially given his track record of 165 stolen bases in the minors. While his exact role remains to be defined, his presence adds a new dimension to the Mustangs’ offense.
The move underscores a broader trend of athletes leveraging success across sports, and it has already generated considerable attention from fans and media outlets alike.