From the Diamond to the Gridiron: Bubba Thompson’s Bold Career Change

After seven years in Major League Baseball, Bubba Thompson is officially calling it a career on the diamond to pursue a new chapter on the gridiron. The former Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds outfielder is making waves with his decision to walk on as a quarterback for South Alabama’s football team at the age of 26.

From High School Star to First-Round Pick

Thompson’s journey to this point has been anything but conventional. A standout at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama, he was a three-star quarterback prospect in the Class of 2017. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 197 pounds, Thompson threw for 3,173 yards and 38 touchdowns during his senior season, leading the Yellow Jackets to the Class 7A state championship game alongside future NFL wide receiver Jalen Tolbert.

College football programs, including Troy, Memphis, Ole Miss, Western Kentucky, and UCF, all expressed interest in the dynamic quarterback. At one point, Thompson committed to play college baseball at Auburn and later Alabama. However, his promising future in baseball as the No. 26 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft steered him toward the professional ranks.

Climbing the Baseball Ranks

Thompson’s baseball career began with high hopes as he worked his way up the minor league system from 2017 to 2022. The Texas Rangers called him up to the majors on August 4, 2022, where he played 92 games over two seasons, hitting .241 with 13 RBIs in 241 plate appearances. Despite the initial promise, Thompson’s career plateaued, and he eventually found himself in Double-A with the Cincinnati Reds organization last season.

A Return to Football

With baseball in the rearview mirror, Thompson is now pivoting back to football. A video surfaced earlier this week showing him throwing passes at South Alabama’s indoor practice facility, sparking speculation about his future. Jaguars head coach Major Applewhite confirmed the news: Thompson will join the team as a walk-on quarterback for offseason workouts and spring practice.

At 26 years old—he’ll turn 27 in June—Thompson is bringing maturity and a wealth of athletic experience to the team. However, it’s not a guaranteed path to playing time. South Alabama already has three quarterbacks on the roster: Gio Lopez, Bishop Davenport, and Jared Hollins. For now, Thompson’s role will be to provide depth and compete during practices.

A Rare Path

It’s not every day that an athlete transitions from professional baseball back to college football, let alone as a walk-on quarterback nearing his late 20s. Thompson’s journey is a testament to his adaptability and determination. Whether he becomes a key contributor for the Jaguars or simply inspires others with his bold career pivot, one thing is certain: Bubba Thompson isn’t afraid to chase his dreams.

Stay tuned to see how this unique comeback story unfolds as Thompson takes his first steps back onto the football field.