Clemson outfielder/quarterback Kyle Parker, who became the first player in NCAA to hit 20 homers and throw 20 touchdown passes in the same academic year, will play both sports for at least another season.

Selected by the Rockies with the 26th overall pick in the 2010 baseball draft, Parker is scheduled to report to Clemson's football camp today. He had given Colorado a July 20 deadline to sign him to a baseball-only contract.

To give up football, Parker had sought a bonus along the lines of the $3 million the Red Sox gave Tennessee quarterback recruit Casey Kelly as the 30th overall pick in 2008. The Rockies offered close to double MLB's bonus recommendation for the No. 26 slot ($1.197 million), but the two sides couldn't reach an agreement.

Colorado still has until the Aug. 16 signing deadline to land Parker, though it now appears he'll play his redshirt sophomore season of football.

The Rockies already have signed one Atlantic Coast Conference outfielder/quarterback this summer. Fourth-round pick Russell Wilson agreed to a $200,000 bonus and will return for his junior season of football. Wilson, who in 2008 became the first freshman quarterback ever to make the all-ACC first-team, will seek further compensation from Colorado if he gives up football after this fall.

No first-round pick has come to terms since Georgia high school righthander Cam Bedrosian signed with the Angels on July 2. Twenty of the 32 first-rounders remain unsigned.

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2601

Interesting development.