QB Russell Wilson (#16), drafted in the 4th round by the Rockies, will return for his junior season
N.C. State’s QB/OF Russell Wilson had an exciting MLB draft day yesterday as he was picked in the 4th round/140th pick by the Colorado Rockies. As the starting QB for North Carolina State, the rising junior has quickly made a decision regarding his future. He has agreed to return under center for the upcoming season much to the delight of Coach Tom O’Brien. However, he will be playing baseball this summer in the Rockies’ farm system up until August when the football season begins.
Scouts agree that he is a better baseball prospect than potential professional football player. This is the second time Wilson was drafted in the MLB draft. The Baltimore Orioles drafted him in the 41st round out of high school. Wilson did not sign with the team and opted to play football and baseball at N.C. State.
During his college baseball days, he only started in 25 games for the Wolfpack but as an outfielder he amassed a .306 batting avg in 47 games. As a QB, he passed for 3,027 yards and tossed 31 TDs last season topping the ACC. Since he signed with the Rockies, he has effectively ended his collegiate baseball career. There is no word on whether Wilson will return for the 2011 football season.
