So I have to admit something, college baseball fans. I also share a passion for college football. But this is going to benefit you, I promise. Today I have a little crossover for you. And let me explain first what drove me to dig into roster after roster of college baseball and college football teams across the country.
While sitting on the couch in Florida this past weekend before the Miami/Oklahoma classic on Saturday night, ESPN had a feature about LSU's Chad Jones. I had the chance to meet Jones in Omaha this past June as he went on to win a national title pitching for the Tigers. Well, if you have watched any LSU football games this year, you'll notice that he's also stalking opposing QBs in the secondary. So, I started to think, what other college football players playing today are also playing college baseball? A few came to mind rather easily. So let's take a look at a few and how they are doing on the football field, and how they did on the baseball diamond a year ago.
Chad Jones - LSU, OF/P and Safety
Jones played a big part in the Tigers national championship on the diamond last Spring, helping a tired bullpen against Texas in the CWS Finals, as he contributed a perfect couple of innings against the Longhorns. That was just a precursor for his football season. Jones is averaging 24.2 yards per punt return in five attempts, including a punt return for a 93-yard touchdown. Add two interceptions and two break-ups, and he's been one of the more dynamic players on any defense in the country. Well done, Mr. Jones.
2009 Baseball Stats: .343 BA in 18 Games. 2.70 ERA in 6.2 IP, 7 Ks
Russell Wilson - N.C. State, 2B and QB
N.C. State's star quarterback also plays on the rightside of the infield for the Wolfpack. On the football field, Wilson broke an NCAA record this season for consecutive passes without throwing an interception breating the record of 325 previously held by Kentucky's Andre Woodson. Wilson's 2009 baseball season was derailed until March 23 thanks to a knee injury he suffered in the Papajohns.com Bowl, and he struggled to really get going in just 27 games.
2009 Baseball Stats: .236 BA, 0 HR, 10 RBI
Eric Decker - Minnesota, OF and WR/QB
Decker has been one of the most reliable and toughest wide receivers in college football this season. The senior has 43 catches and five touchdowns in the Gophers five games. Decker was drafted in the 38th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, becoming only the third Minnesota player since 1966 to letter in football and be selected in the MLB Draft. Decker played in 56 of Minnesota's 59 games a year ago, during a very impressive 40-19 campaign.
2009 Baseball Stats: .319 BA, 4 HR, 25 RBI
Riley Cooper - Florida, OF and WR
Florida needed a wide receiver to step in four Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy, and Riley Cooper has been just that. Cooper has become Tim Tebow's favorte target, with 15 catches in the team's first four games, for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Baseball meant so much to the senior, that he did not participate in Spring drills with the football team, as he started in 25 games for the Gators baseball team.
2009 Baseball Stats: .247 ba, 2 HR, 8 RBI
There are certainly more, chime in with some comments as to the ones I'm leaving out.
While sitting on the couch in Florida this past weekend before the Miami/Oklahoma classic on Saturday night, ESPN had a feature about LSU's Chad Jones. I had the chance to meet Jones in Omaha this past June as he went on to win a national title pitching for the Tigers. Well, if you have watched any LSU football games this year, you'll notice that he's also stalking opposing QBs in the secondary. So, I started to think, what other college football players playing today are also playing college baseball? A few came to mind rather easily. So let's take a look at a few and how they are doing on the football field, and how they did on the baseball diamond a year ago.
Chad Jones - LSU, OF/P and Safety
Jones played a big part in the Tigers national championship on the diamond last Spring, helping a tired bullpen against Texas in the CWS Finals, as he contributed a perfect couple of innings against the Longhorns. That was just a precursor for his football season. Jones is averaging 24.2 yards per punt return in five attempts, including a punt return for a 93-yard touchdown. Add two interceptions and two break-ups, and he's been one of the more dynamic players on any defense in the country. Well done, Mr. Jones.
2009 Baseball Stats: .343 BA in 18 Games. 2.70 ERA in 6.2 IP, 7 Ks
Russell Wilson - N.C. State, 2B and QB
N.C. State's star quarterback also plays on the rightside of the infield for the Wolfpack. On the football field, Wilson broke an NCAA record this season for consecutive passes without throwing an interception breating the record of 325 previously held by Kentucky's Andre Woodson. Wilson's 2009 baseball season was derailed until March 23 thanks to a knee injury he suffered in the Papajohns.com Bowl, and he struggled to really get going in just 27 games.
2009 Baseball Stats: .236 BA, 0 HR, 10 RBI
Eric Decker - Minnesota, OF and WR/QB
Decker has been one of the most reliable and toughest wide receivers in college football this season. The senior has 43 catches and five touchdowns in the Gophers five games. Decker was drafted in the 38th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, becoming only the third Minnesota player since 1966 to letter in football and be selected in the MLB Draft. Decker played in 56 of Minnesota's 59 games a year ago, during a very impressive 40-19 campaign.
2009 Baseball Stats: .319 BA, 4 HR, 25 RBI
Riley Cooper - Florida, OF and WR
Florida needed a wide receiver to step in four Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy, and Riley Cooper has been just that. Cooper has become Tim Tebow's favorte target, with 15 catches in the team's first four games, for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Baseball meant so much to the senior, that he did not participate in Spring drills with the football team, as he started in 25 games for the Gators baseball team.
2009 Baseball Stats: .247 ba, 2 HR, 8 RBI
There are certainly more, chime in with some comments as to the ones I'm leaving out.
