Posted on 12/18/2015 6:27:30 AM PST by Gamecock
NOTE: We hear so many bad things about the youth of America that I thought I would like to share a story about somebody who appears to be a good kid. Some say he had the potential for a 2-4 million dollar signing bonus if he went with pro baseball draft. His dream is to pursue a dual JD/MBA. He has said elsewhere the degree is more important than money.
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Quarterback Brandon McIlwain will sign with the Gamecocks and enroll in January, he announced Thursday.
"I've decided to forgo the MLB draft and enroll early to play baseball and football at SC," he tweeted.
The decision means McIlwain, a two-sport star from Newtown, Pa., will skip his chance to be a part of June's Major League Baseball draft. He has been committed to South Carolina since Dec. 31, 2014.
McIlwain took his official visit to USC last weekend. He spent most of his time with new coach Will Muschamp and offensive coordinator Kurt Roper, talking about the offense and their plans for him.
As a senior, McIlwain threw for 1,727 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and ran for 1,528 yards and 30 scores. He was an Elite 11 quarterback and the Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania.
He also was a Perfect Game All-American in baseball.
Baseball America's High School Top 100 list of prospects for 2016 ranked McIlwain No. 16. Last year, all but one of the top 20 high school prospects were drafted in the top three rounds, the lowest pick earning a bonus of $586,900. The lone outlier, Vanderbilt's Donny Everett, turned down $2.5 million.
"So proud of Brandon, 17 years old and determined to pursue his dream of playing baseball & football at USC!" his mother, Lena McIlwain, posted on Facebook. "Over the last few months, we have met with dozens of Major League Baseball scouts. They each told us in great detail exactly what life would be like working his way through the minor leagues. Although the sign-on bonus was very tempting, Brandon did not want to let money be the determining factor! He is following his passion, his heart, his dream! I know God will guide and protect him."
McIlwain intends to play this season for Chad Holbrook's USC baseball team.
"Holy moly! Great day to be a Gamecock! Spurs are definitely up!" Holbrook said in a tweet.
Former USC star pitcher Michael Roth tweeted to McIlwain that "you won't regret this decision. College is an awesome time in your life!"
And former Gamecocks catcher Grayson Greiner told McIlwain that he "just made the best decision of his life. You won't regret it."
Hope it works better for the Gamecocks.
A&M’s 2 sport star quarterback just transferred.
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