Bubba Thompson, who was selected in the first round of the MLB draft in 2017, will trade in his glove for a helmet and some shoulder pads as he joins the South Alabama Jaguars football team.
He will join the team as an assistant for spring practices, South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite told AL.com. He posted a video on his Facebook page of himself throwing a soccer ball at the school’s soccer facility.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Reds center fielder Bubba Thompson steals third base against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 7, 2024. (Katie Stratman-USA Today Sports)
“We support you all,” he captioned the clip.
Thompson, 26, has experience on the playing field. He played football while attending McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Alabama, leading the school to a state title game in 2017.
He then committed to the University of Alabama to play baseball. However, he never enrolled in college. Instead, he was selected by the Texas Rangers in 2017 with their 26th overall pick and decided to pursue a career in the Major Leagues.
UNLV’S DAN MULLEN REVEALS WHY WORKING AS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL ANALYST HAD ITS PERKS
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Bubba Thompson goes third during a spring training game against the Cleveland Guardians at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona, on February 24, 2024. (Kareem Elgazzar-USA Today Sports)
Thompson didn’t emerge as a superstar. He was a speedster on the bases, recording 18 steals in 55 games in 2022. He was with the Rangers in 2023, playing in 37 games. He then joined the Cincinnati Reds last year and appeared in 17 games.
Since he never enrolled in college, he has five years of eligibility. Rivals rated him a two-star quarterback coming out of school.
South Alabama went 7-6 last season in Applewhite’s first year. They finished the year with a victory in the Salute to Veterans Bowl.
South Alabama Jaguars head coach Major Applewhite celebrates with his team during the Salute to Veterans Bowl at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 15, 2024. (Jake Crandall/Advertiser/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
Gio Lopez and Bishop Davenport played quarterback for the Jaguars last season.
