Toronto Blue Jays prospect Anthony Alford has been released from his athletic scholarship at Southern Mississippi, according to numerous reports.
Southern Miss true freshman QB Anthony Alford, who started 5 games this season, has been granted release from school
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) December 13, 2012
Alford was suspended by the university last month after he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault for his involvement in a fight on campus. According to Hattiesburg American, two guns were found at the scene but no shots were fired.
His release, which he reportedly asked for, comes less than a week after Southern Mississippi hired Todd Monoken as their new head coach.
“Understand this. I grew up in an academic home,” Monken said at his introductory press conference. “My undergrad is in economics and I have my master’s degree in educational leadership. The way our players act off the field is important to me. I believe in the whole product. I believe in a player being a pro.”
The 18-year-old Alford started five games at quarterback as a freshman in 2012. He led the team in passing yards and rushing touchdowns while finishing third in rushing.
Alford, who played in the outfield on his high school baseball team, was selected by the Jays in the third round (No. 112 overall) of the 2012 MLB Draft.
It remains unclear whether Alford plans to continue to pursue his football career or to fully focus on baseball, where he appeared in five games this past summer with the Blue Jays’ Gulf Coast League affiliate
