TORONTO –Troubled Toronto Blue Jays draft pick Anthony Alford intends to transfer to Ole Miss after securing a release from his football scholarship br>
In a brief email about the 2012 third-rounder, assistant general manager Tony LaCava confirmed the move and added, “at this point it doesn’t change his deal with us.”
Alford signed for $750,000 after being chosen 112th overall last June, and as part of his contract was allowed to play quarterback at Southern Miss, where he was 57-of-127 passing for 664 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions in nine games, five of them starts.
The 18-year-old was also arrested following an on-campus fight last month, and is facing charges of hindering prosecution and conspiracy to possess a weapon on campus. The Blue Jays have not commented on his arrest since it’s a pending legal matter.
Alford headed to school after first participating in extended spring and appearing in five games for the rookie-league Gulf Coast Blue Jays as a centre-fielder, going 3-for-18 with a homer and four stolen bases.
In transferring schools, Alford would lose a year of eligibility under NCAA rules should he want to continue playing football.
