Unusual Career Pivot
Former MLB Prospect Jordyn Adams Pivots to College Football, Enrolling at SMU
Jordyn Adams, a 26-year-old former five-star wide receiver and 2018 No. 17 overall MLB Draft pick, has enrolled at Southern Methodist University and intends to play for the SMU Mustangs football team. After choosing professional baseball over his North Carolina commitment, Adams reached the majors and appeared in 38 games from 2023 to 2025 with the Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles, hitting .165 with one home run. He later joined the Milwaukee Brewers organization for 2026. After being released last month and not signing another pro deal, Adams made a late pivot back to football, with reports noting changes to his social media profiles identifying SMU. The move marks an unusual pro-to-college switch for the former two-sport recruit.
Key Points
Before the SMU move, Adams’ MLB path included an Orioles designation for assignment in June 2025, followed by his departure as a free agent after a brief major-league stint in August 2025—after which his return attempt wasn’t going well.
With the Brewers organization in 2026, Adams split time between Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville, did not receive an invitation to Milwaukee’s spring training camp, went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts in limited Cactus League action, and was released from his minor-league contract on May 25.
SMU’s interest came via reporting from CBS Sports/247Sports: Adams intended to play football at SMU “this fall,” but he was “not listed on the Mustangs' online roster as of early Tuesday afternoon.”
The news also appeared to be teased directly by Adams: Newsweek reported that a “minor tweak” to his Instagram bio—where he listed “@SMUFB”—sparked attention around June 1 while college baseball’s College World Series was underway.
Adams’ physical profile is also reported as 6-1 and 181 pounds, which helps contextualize how SMU views him as a football addition given his five-star receiving background.
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