Bubba Thompson, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder, has embarked on a remarkable career transition by enrolling at the University of South Alabama to join the Jaguars football team as a walk-on quarterback. This move marks a significant shift from his eight-year professional baseball career, during which he played for the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds.
Early Life and High School Achievements
Born on June 9, 1998, in Jacksonville, Florida, Leslie Arnold “Bubba” Thompson was raised in Mobile, Alabama. He attended McGill–Toolen Catholic High School, where he showcased exceptional talent in both baseball and football. In his senior year, Thompson led his football team to the Class 7A state championship game, passing for 3,173 yards and 38 touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him All-State honors and recognition as a three-star football recruit. Despite receiving scholarship offers from universities such as the University of Tennessee and the University of Mississippi, Thompson chose to pursue a career in baseball. citeturn0search12
Professional Baseball Career
In 2017, Thompson was selected by the Texas Rangers as the 26th overall pick in the first round of the MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut with the Rangers in 2022, appearing in 22 games and posting a .265 batting average, one home run, and nine RBIs. Thompson continued his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2024, playing in 17 games with a .111 batting average. Throughout his MLB tenure, he accumulated a .232 batting average, one home run, 13 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases over 109 games. citeturn0search12
Transition to Football
After several years in professional baseball, Thompson decided to return to his football roots. In January 2025, he enrolled at the University of South Alabama and joined the Jaguars football team as a walk-on quarterback. Thompson’s decision was influenced by his enduring passion for football and the opportunity to pursue a new athletic challenge. He expressed his enthusiasm for the transition, stating, “It’s always been an idea of mine… When one door slowly closes, a great opportunity opened up for me.” citeturn0search2
Eligibility and Future Prospects
Thompson’s decision to join the South Alabama football team is facilitated by his status as a non-college-attending professional athlete. This status grants him five years of eligibility to play four seasons of college football. His previous commitment to play baseball at the University of Alabama was never realized, allowing him to pursue this new athletic endeavor. citeturn0search0
