Report: Ex-MLB player, 2018 5-star WR to play at SMU

Field Level Media|published: Tue 2nd June, 14:13 2026

Jun 5, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Balitimore Orioles centerfielder Jordyn Adams (80) waits for a pitch during an at-bat against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

After appearing in 38 Major League Baseball games, Jordyn Adams apparently is shifting careers.

CBS Sports reported Tuesday that Adams, 26, intends to play football at SMU this fall.

He was not listed on the Mustangs' online roster as of early Tuesday afternoon.

Eight years ago, 247Sports ranked Adams as a five-star wide receiver -- No. 3 in the class at the position -- and the No. 14 overall player.

The wide receivers ranked ahead of him were two players who went on to become All-Pros in the NFL: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ja'Marr Chase. Two other All-Pros -- Patrick Surtain II and Micah Parsons -- also were among the top 15 players in the class.

Adams committed to play at North Carolina after standout baseball and football careers at Green Hope High School in the Raleigh suburb of Cary. But when the Los Angeles Angels used the No. 17 overall pick on him in the 2018 MLB Draft and dangled a contract with a slot value of about $3.5 million, he chose baseball.

An outfielder, Adams played in 678 games in the minor leagues and batted .245. He hit 55 home runs, drove in 304 runs and stole 165 bases.

He made his major league debut on Aug. 2, 2023, and appeared in 17 games, followed by 11 in 2024 for the Angels. He became a free agent ahead of the 2025 season and signed with the Baltimore Orioles, playing in 10 games with them.

He signed with the Milwaukee Brewers for the 2026 season and was assigned to Triple-A Nashville. He was released last month and instead of looking for another team, chose college football.

His MLB batting average was .165 and he had one homer and five RBIs.

Others have made the move from pro baseball to college football, most notably Chris Weinke, the Florida State quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 2000 at age 28 following six years in baseball.

--Field Level Media