Mets Sign Former South Carolina and Cal QB Brandon McIlwain as UDFA
By Max Smith
The Mets have finally signed... yes, a touted college football quarterback! On Monday, they signed Cal Golden Bears signal-caller Brandon McIlwain.
McIlwain is an all-world athlete. In his senior year of high school, he was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania and was a 4-star recruit heading into his college career, which began at South Carolina.
McIlwain was also an All-American outfielder in high school. He started games at quarterback in football and center field in baseball after transferring to Berkeley in 2017.
The Mets' first non-drafted free agent signing is center fielder Brandon McIlwain, a two-sport star who also played quarterback at the University of California. As a sophomore, he finished two rushing touchdowns shy of the school's single-season QB record.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 15, 2020
McIlwain decided to focus on baseball following the 2018 football season, in which he totaled 1,166 yards and six touchdowns. The Miami Marlins drafted McIlwain in the 26th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, but he decided to return to Cal for one more season.
As a redshirt junior in 2020, McIlwain was only able to play 16 games, where he hit .200 in 55 at bats. The Mets will look to turn him into a more complete baseball player. He's been focusing on two sports for so long that it will certainly take an adjustment period, but the Mets clearly like what they see.
I’m excited to be starting my pro baseball career with the New York Mets! #LGM #Blessed ?? pic.twitter.com/5kxYAfaGP1
— Brandon McIlwain (@Mc11wain) June 15, 2020
McIlwain's athleticism is clearly his biggest strength. It will be the foundation to what the Mets will hope to be a great MLB player one day. The development of his untapped potential will be an exciting storyline to watch for Mets fans in the coming years.