Bubba Starling has a choice to make. He can play football at the University of Nebraska, whom he committed to play for this season. He can join the Kansas City Royals, whom drafted Starling with the fifth pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.
He can't, however, do both. And such is Starling's dilemma.
He is expected to choose Nebraska, where he has the option to play football and baseball. By doing so, he would not be able to re-enter the MLB Draft until 2014, not to mention bum out a Royals' organization very excited to make him one of their players.
Royals general manager Dayton Moore has referred to Starling as one of the best pure athletes he’s scouted in recent years. He used the franchise’s 11th top-five pick in history on the wunderkind from Gardner Edgerton High School.
Starling has not made an official decision, though he has "come a few steps closer to making a decision, but I haven’t made a final choice yet." Technically he has until August 15th to make his decision, but he is expected to begin workouts at quarterback and practice drills with the offense at some point next week. He will not enroll in classes.
Starling led his high school football team to an 11-1 record, rushing 172 times for 2,417 yards and 31 touchdowns. On the baseball team, he hit .481 with 9 home runs despite missing time due to a quad injury.
If the Royals do not get Starling, they will receive the No. 6 pick in next year's draft as compensation.
As Starling's decision gets closer, check in with Nebraksa fans at Corn Nation and Royals fans at Royals Review to see where they stand.