Key Takeaways:
– Monte Harrison, former Major League Baseball (MLB) player, commits to playing football for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
– Harrison was initially a highly acclaimed four-star wide receiver recruit before his shift to baseball.
– Despite standout performances in the minor leagues, Harrison struggled to find consistency in the major league.
– Following football scholarship offers from numerous prestigious programs, Harrison eventually chose baseball, joining the Milwaukee Brewers.
– Now, following in the footsteps of other elite athletes, Harrison is transitioning from professional baseball to collegiate football.
Former MLB Player Monte Harrison Commits to Arkansas Football
In an unexpected course reversal, former Major League Baseball (MLB) player, Monte Harrison has pledged his commitment to the Arkansas Razorbacks. Harrison’s decision signifies his return to football after embracing a professional baseball career, as pointed out by Richard Davenport of WholeHogSports.com.
Charting Harrison’s Athletic Journey
Harrison started his athletic journey in a completely different arena. He initially committed to Nebraska in the class of 2014. Before his Nebraska commitment, he was rated the No.5 player in Missouri and the No.33 wide receiver nationwide. His path, however, diverted when the Milwaukee Brewers picked him in the second round of the MLB Draft the same year.
Deciding to follow his aspiration of becoming a professional baseball player, Harrison excelled on a minor level, but success in the big league eluded him.
Finding His Footing in the Major League
The 6-foot-1, 218-pound athlete played in the majors for the last time in 2022, representing the Los Angeles Angels in nine matches. Since then, he’s been honing his skills in the minors, hopeful for another major-league call.
During his professional baseball career that spanned across three MLB organizations and included a season in the Puerto Rican Winter League, Harrison appeared in a total of 868 games from 2014 to 2023.
His MLB statistics boast a .176 batting average, two home runs, six RBI, seven stolen bases, and a .547 OPS over a span of 50 games in three seasons. His performance at the minor league level was considerably more formidable, showing a .240 batting average, 90 home runs, 336 RBI, 210 stolen bases, and a .722 OPS.
Returning to Gridiron Dreams
Now aged 28, Harrison plans to join the Arkansas Razorbacks as a preferred walk-on for the 2024 season. In 2014, he garnered football scholarships offers from several notable programs, including Nebraska, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Kansas, Missouri, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Despite the allure of football, Harrison went for baseball, signing a generous $1.8 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. By 2018, he had risen to become one of the top-rated prospects in the league.
Following the Path of Standout Athletes
Harrison now joins an impressive list of professional athletes transitioning to NCAA competition in a contrasting sport. Athletes like Chris Weinke, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, and Brandon Weeden, who initially pursued a baseball career, have done the same.
Now, with his new commitment to Arkansas, Harrison is hoping to emulate their success and carve out a promising future in collegiate football and possibly a future NFL Draft pick.