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It looks like Cord Sandberg will not be playing quarterback for the Mississippi State Bulldogs any time soon. The dual-sport prospect from Manatee High in Florida had committed to the Bulldogs, but his baseball prowess led to the Philadelphia Phillies selecting him in the third round and 89th overall.
John Lembo from the Bradenton Herald reported that Sandberg hopes to sign as early as Saturday after already having an agreement about the monetary terms of a contract with Philadelphia in place.
#Sandberg and #Philles have agreed on a dollar amount - $775,000 plus four years of education. Hasn't signed yet.
— John Lembo (@JohnLembo1878) June 7, 2013
Just traded text messages with Cord Sandberg. Said he could sign with #Phillies tomorrow. #Manatee— John Lembo (@JohnLembo1878) June 7, 2013
For the Bulldogs, the loss of Sandberg could help ease some of the scholarship restrictions in place for the next two seasons. It also leaves the Bulldogs again searching for future quarterbacks to follow as potential rivals to Dak Prescott starting with the 2014 season.
Should his baseball career not work, the history of a prospect trying his hand at pro ball and returning to college football has had some success. Chris Wienke spent six years in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, reaching Triple-A ball, before deciding to enroll at Florida State as a 25-year-old freshman. He later became the oldest winner of the Heisman Trophy at age 28 following his senior season and became a draft pick of the Carolina Panthers. He also led Florida State to a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech to give the Seminoles the National Championship.
Josh Booty, a former Florida Marlin and LSU quarterback, actually played in The Show, and earned a World Series ring before returning to football after being the fifth overall pick in the 1994 draft. He eventually guided the Tigers to the 2000 Peach Bowl before being taken in the NFL draft.