On Monday night, the Auburn Tigers will play the Oregon Ducks for the BCS National Title game. However, one of the Tigers’ former recruits will not be participating. He’s busy working on his baseball swing.
Meet Brandon Jacobs, 20-year-old Red Sox prospect who last year played for the Lowell Spinners.
According to MLB.com columnist and NESN analyst Peter Gammons, Brandon turned down a football scholarship to Auburn University to pursue his "first love."
If Jacobs had played at Auburn, he possibly would have been lining up as a tailback behind Heisman winner Cam Newton and next to other star running back Michael Dyer.
"They told me I would have a chance to play as a freshman, so by now, as a sophomore, I might have been playing," Jacobs told Gammons.
Instead, Jacobs tried out for several professional baseball teams and was selected in the 10th round of the MLB Draft.
Although he forfeited the opportunity to play SEC football and contend for the national title, Jacobs does not regret his decision.
"I don't miss [football]. I love baseball, I had a great experience playing in [SIngle-A] Lowell this past summer, where the ballpark was packed every night."
He adds, "A lot went into my decision to sign with Boston. I thought a lot about the longevity of the career, the injury risk. I really thought baseball was what I was going to play in the long run, and why wait four years to get started. I know I have a long way to go, but I'm very pleased with the decision I made."
Although Jacobs won’t be on the field Monday night taking on the Ducks, he says he’ll be keeping close tabs on the guys who were almost his teammates.
"I'll be watching [Monday]," Jacobs told the Hall of Famer, "but, to be honest, I'm more excited about spring training. I'm a baseball player. I'd love to be there in Arizona, but I'd rather be playing in Boston someday."
Last season, Brandon had a .242 batting average with six home runs and 31 runs batted. However, over his last ten games, he hit .306 with two home runs, eight runs batted in and three doubles.
Although his statistics do not stand out amongst other prospects, Jacobs is only 20 years old and has significant promise.
Gammons’ story also quotes one scout who regards Jacobs as one of the "best pure hitters I'd ever seen. He reminded me of an 18-year-old Kevin Mitchell. He could run, he played hard and he made contact. I think he struck out four times his entire senior year."
In his senior year he had a .511 batting average and 1.307 slugging percentage.
Brandon may not be highlighting Monday’s game, but he could be highlighting the Red Sox outfield in years to come.
