What happened: SMU has awarded a football scholarship to Jordyn Adams, a 26-year-old former Major League Baseball player, according to CBS Sports. Adams, a 5-star wide receiver recruit in 2018, is returning to the sport he set aside to pursue a pro baseball career.
Why it matters: The move marks a rare cross-sport reversal, as elite two-sport prospects almost always commit permanently to whichever path turns pro first. Adams choosing the gridiron at 26 gives SMU a high-upside athlete with blue-chip pedigree and tests whether years away from football can be overcome at the college level.
By the numbers: Adams was rated a 5-star wide receiver recruit in the 2018 class before turning to professional baseball. He is now 26 years old.
What to watch: Watch for how SMU plans to use Adams and whether he can earn a rotation role after years away from organized football. His eligibility and conditioning timeline will shape his 2026 impact.
Sources
- GNews MLB