OnTexasFootball stopped by Galveston Ball High today for football practice this morning.

Ball High two-sport star Jonah Williams told OTF he’s planning to graduate high school in December. 

That is significant news as it means Williams is bypassing his senior season of high school baseball.

Williams told OTF he plans on to play college baseball in the spring of 2025. And go through spring practice.

Williams said he made the decision that he wants to experience college football, and that will also include college baseball.

Again, this is per Jonah Williams an hour ago.

Whoa. I would tell my kid to go to the MLb draft but damn hope we can win out. Likely passing up $6-8 million. 

Well well well Oregon I getting one damn good player @Gerry Hamilton

Interesting. Is there more to this or is he just that willing to forgo MLB for the college football/baseball experience? 

An MLB draft pick has lifetime healthcare benefits.  A big benefit, we’ll see what happens with Jonah.

I was guessing this would be a play in this recruitment.  That he will be playing college baseball next Spring is huge, as he polishes up the resume for the MLB draft next July (‘25).

I don’t expect him to actually go through Spring football (maybe some cursory non-contact drills) as he would be in the middle of college baseball season.  But, it provides some additional leverage for contract negotiations (with MLB).

Net-Net:  as a future professional athlete, he gains nothing by playing high school baseball next spring (2025).

5 minutes ago, justwinbaby said:

An MLB draft pick has lifetime healthcare benefits.  A big benefit, we’ll see what happens with Jonah.

Didn’t know that.. though experience college has lifetime benefits too. 
Who’s to say he doesn’t get baseball and football NIL to sweeten his deal. Can’t repeat going to college at this age. Miss it and it’s gone. There is a much bigger window of opportunity for pro baseball 

@Gerry Hamilton is this good for Texas or Oregon

12 minutes ago, Glass Joe said:

I was guessing this would be a play in this recruitment.  That he will be playing college baseball next Spring is huge, as he polishes up the resume for the MLB draft next July (‘25).

I don’t expect him to actually go through Spring football (maybe some cursory non-contact drills) as he would be in the middle of college baseball season.  But, it provides some additional leverage for contract negotiations (with MLB).

Net-Net:  as a future professional athlete, he gains nothing by playing high school baseball next spring (2025).

If he plays college baseball this spring, he is not eligible for the 2025 draft.

This decision basically cements the fact he is going to college for 3 years.

That is very interesting. I would think that graduating early, playing baseball, and participating in Spring football practice would favor Texas. Schloss being here gives us a leg up, IMO. 

Gerry, what's your opinion on this news you gathered? Is this good for Texas?

Gerry, a subscriber last night posted that Terry informed Texas that he picked Nebraska. Any new intel you can provide?

To me, that reads like a guy making a football decision with baseball on the side. Which is interesting.

@Gerry Hamilton I’m 3 blocks away at Shrimp & Stuff if you want to swing by. In a Texas polo.

43 minutes ago, justwinbaby said:

An MLB draft pick has lifetime healthcare benefits.  A big benefit, we’ll see what happens with Jonah.

I believe this is incorrect. However, a player gets lifetime health benefits when they play just one day in the MLB.  

Not sure if the rule has changed, but playing baseball in the spring would take him out of the MLB draft next summer. At least that used to be the rule. 

Huge decision. I hope it works out perfectly in Austin.

29 minutes ago, Ronald Dayto said:

Gerry, what's your opinion on this news you gathered? Is this good for Texas?

No opinion on that yet

6 minutes ago, Leveller said:

Not sure if the rule has changed, but playing baseball in the spring would take him out of the MLB draft next summer. At least that used to be the rule. 

That’s what I understand too

I’m interested to see how it plays out 

Oh 👀

1 hour ago, Gerry Hamilton said:

OnTexasFootball stopped by Galveston Ball High today for football practice this morning.

Ball High two-sport star Jonah Williams told OTF he’s planning to graduate high school in December. 

That is significant news as it means Williams is bypassing his senior season of high school baseball.

Williams told OTF he plans on to play college baseball in the spring of 2025. And go through spring practice.

Williams said he made the decision that he wants to experience college football, and that will also include college baseball.

Again, this is per Jonah Williams an hour ago.

So does this mean he wouldn't play baseball until the following spring? I'd assume so considering he'd be a football first guy and not go the route of Brennan Thompson...just seems smart to get ahead on football. Also not playing baseball this spring keeps him eligible for draft, yeah?

Edited August 5, 20242 yr by Hashtag

Sounds like Texas to me unless Oregon drops that big bag.. Also he might be able to start right away in the outfield at Oregon.. But if he wants to win in both Texas is the school or LSU

I'm not even sure what to make of this, but I'm glad OTF was on the scene, in person with Williams and giving us updates.

22 minutes ago, Hashtag said:

So does this mean he wouldn't play baseball until the following spring? I'd assume so considering he'd be a football first guy and not go the route of Brennan Thompson...just seems smart to get ahead on football. Also not playing baseball this spring keeps him eligible for draft, yeah?

Brother, it lays almost everything out in the OP.

He wants to play college baseball this coming spring while participating in spring football.

Edited August 5, 20242 yr by Assistant Regional Manager

Oh snap