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MLB first-round draft pick, 26, retires immediately to play college football
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- MLB first-round draft pick, 26, retires immediately to play college football
A former first-round draft pick in Major League Baseball who was a highly recruited wide receiver out of high school is apparently taking a second stab at football.
Jordyn Adams was the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels out of Cary, North Carolina. He reached the majors five years later, and ended up playing parts of three seasons with the Angels (2023) and Baltimore Orioles (2024-25).
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But the Orioles designated Adams for assignment last year, then allowed him to walk in free agency. He signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers last winter, but immediately struggled.
Adams did not receive an invitation to the Brewers' spring training camp. He went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in limited Cactus Legaue action.
In the regular season, Adams batted .198 with three home runs in 27 games between the Brewers' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates. He struck out 34 times in 91 minor league at-bats.
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On May 25, the Brewers released him from his minor league contract. Less than a week later, according to his Instagram account , Adams joined the football team at Southern Methodist University.
Adams posted a screengrab of his name listed on an SMU football roster, and tagged the program in his Instagram bio. As of June 2 , he had not been officially listed on the Mustangs' online roster.
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Adams is 26, older than most if not all of his opponents in the ACC. Once upon a time, he signed to play wide receiver for the University of North Carolina despite interest from several big-name out of state programs — to say nothing of his baseball pursuits.
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Eight years later, Adams is getting a second chance in football. The Mustangs open their 2026 season Sept. 7 at Florida State.
Adams ends his MLB career with a .165 batting average, one home run, and five RBIs in 38 MLB games.
