Former MLB outfielder Bubba Thompson joins South Alabama as freshman quarterback

South Alabama added a new quarterback to the roster ahead of fall practice. Former MLB outfielder Bubba Thompson has recently joined the program. After spending seven seasons in professional baseball, Thompson popped up on the Jaguars’ roster for the 2025 season.

The Texas Rangers took Thompson in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. His elite speed was a massive plus, projecting to be a great outfielder and threat on the basepaths. At the time, he was committed to playing baseball at Alabama despite finding a great amount of success as a quarterback. Instead, joining the Rangers organization wound up being the decision.

Flash forward five years, where Thompson made his debut for the Rangers against the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 4, 2022. He wound up playing in 92 games in Texas, finishing with a .242 batting average, one home run, 13 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases over the course of two seasons.

When the Rangers decided to designate Thompson for assignment, a few different teams picked the outfielder off waivers before releasing him again. Eventually, the Cincinnati Reds were the landing spot. Some time with the Major League club in 2024 eventually resulted in getting sent back down to the minors. On Nov. 4, Thompson elected for free agency.

Now, the baseball career is over as focus switches to football. Thompson is 27 years old and is hoping to be the next success story in college football after playing a different sport at a professional level. Oklahoma State‘s Brandon Weeden might be the most recently famous example.

Thompson was rated as a football player coming out of high school. He was a three-star prospect in the 2017 recruiting class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Two SEC teams, Ole Miss and Tennessee, extended scholarships alongside Group of Five programs Memphis and Troy.

South Alabama did lose its starting quarterback this offseason via the NCAA transfer portal. Gio Lopez is no longer in Mobile, instead suiting up for Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Redshirt Bishop Davenport appears to be the favorite to take over for Lopez as the Jaguars prepare for another season under head coach Major Applewhite.

Aug. 30 will be South Alabama’s season opener, hosting Morgan State. Exciting games against Tulane and Auburn then fall next on the schedule for eye-catching nonconference games.