Florida QB Jeff Driskel Signs with Boston Red Sox

Before you panic, Florida fans, the news isn’t quite as bad as you may think.

2013 starting quarterback Jeff Driskel has indeed signed with the Boston Red Sox, but he is reportedly fully committed to Florida athletics. After signing the MLB contact, Driskel was quoted as saying:

"“Yes, I signed with the Red Sox. Nothing changes. I am still a full-time student athlete at UF, fully committed to football. After my college career is over I want to pursue a professional career in the NFL. If I ever decide I want to play baseball, I want to play with the Boston Red Sox, who drafted me in the recent draft.”"

Details of Driskel’s deal with the Red Sox are undisclosed, but from the sound of that quote, it was likely not a lucrative one. In fact, as a 29th round pick, Driskel probably has very little chance of “making it” in baseball, but signing a deal now does guarantee (to a reasonable point) his ability to give it a go in a few years when and if football has passed him by.

Driskel hasn’t played baseball since high school (in 2011), and for the time being, this should have little to no effect on his on-field performance for the Gators. Entering this season, Driskel is a darkhorse candidate for All-SEC honors, and Florida, as usual, has a gauntlet of a roster for the 2013 season.

The jury is out on whether Jeff Driskel is an NFL quarterback down the line, but even if he doesn’t quite make that jump to football stardom, it still appears as if he’ll be a professional athlete.