Jordyn Adams, 26, Walked Away From MLB For College Football, And His .165 Batting Average Tells You Everything

Alright, 12s, buckle up, because this story is absolutely wild! We're talking about a former Major League Baseball player, Jordyn Adams, who at 26 years old is making one of the most unexpected career shifts imaginable. Forget trade rumors or draft picks, this dude is pulling a full-on pivot: he's heading back to college, not for classes, but to play wide receiver for SMU this fall. Seriously, going back to school at 26 to strap on pads and catch passes? That’s not just a story, that’s a whole new chapter nobody saw coming.

The Gridiron Dream He Left Behind

Before he was chasing fly balls, Adams was a genuine football phenom. Back in 2018, 247Sports slapped a five-star rating on him, calling him the No. 3 wide receiver in his class and the No. 14 overall player. Think about that for a second: names like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ja'Marr Chase were ranked just ahead of him. Patrick Surtain II and Micah Parsons? They were in that same top 15 list. Adams was committed to North Carolina after tearing it up in both baseball and football at Green Hope High School. But then, the Los Angeles Angels came calling with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. They wanted him bad, dangling a contract with a slot value of around $3.5 million. He chose baseball. What if he’d stayed with football? Could he have been a star in the NFL? We're about to find out, apparently.

From MLB Dreams to College Reality

Adams spent years in the minor leagues as an outfielder, playing in 678 games. He put up some decent numbers there: a .245 batting average, 55 home runs, 304 RBIs, and a blazing 165 stolen bases. The big league call-up came in August 2023, where he played 17 games for the Angels. He got another 11 games in 2024. But the big show is tough, man. He became a free agent before the 2025 season, signed with the Baltimore Orioles, and played in 10 games with them. Then for 2026, it was the Milwaukee Brewers, who assigned him to Triple-A Nashville. Unfortunately, May rolled around, and he was released. His full-time major league career was unlikely to continue, especially with a .165 batting average, one homer, and just five RBIs in MLB. Now, instead of looking for another pro baseball team, Adams has signed with the SMU Mustangs. Talk about a comeback story for the ages! What a ride this guy is on.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.