BJ Gibson’s two-sport experiment at Florida State has come to a stop.
Gibson has decided “to focus solely on baseball at this time,” an FSU spokesperson confirmed to the Osceola. Earlier on Monday, Warchant reported that Gibson had opted to leave the football team.
The 6-foot, 193-pound Gibson chose FSU coming out of high school in large part because he felt there was an opportunity to play football and baseball.
But this fall, Gibson has participated in just 17 plays on offense for the football team (14 of them against Kent State). Gibson did not have a catch and fielded a few punt returns.
On the baseball diamond, Gibson played the outfield in 21 games (nine starts) and hit .242 in 33 at-bats this spring. But he also had eight walks and was hit by pitch twice, raising his on-base percentage to .409.
Gibson's speed was evident in the field and on the bases (four steals).
When asked back on March 6 which sport he preferred, Gibson smiled and said, “No favorites.” Gibson impressed FSU baseball coach Link Jarrett with how he hit early in the season despite limited work in the winter, essentially picking up the bat after the FSU football season wrapped up in late November. Gibson didn’t lack for confidence either.
“As the at-bats go on, I get more comfortable in the box,” Gibson said in March. “And the more comfortable I feel in the box, I feel I can beat any pitcher, any day.”
With FSU losing outfielders Max Williams and Gage Harrelson to the MLB Draft, Gibson could be in line for a starting job in 2026. Jarrett said a few weeks ago that another outfielder, Chase Williams, would be limited this fall due to shoulder issues.
FSU will play three fall baseball games, beginning on Oct. 18 in Pensacola against Mississippi State. The Seminoles will also host UAB on Oct. 25 at noon and play the Garnet & Gold All-Star Game on Oct. 31 at 6:30 p.m.
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