Clemson football: Tigers lose backup QB to MLB Draft

Clemson football QB signee Bubba Chandler was taken in the third-round of the 2021 MLB Draft on Monday afternoon, effectively putting an end to any thoughts that he might continue with his collegiate career.

While there was hope from Clemson football fans that the Tigers might keep both their QB signees in Chandler and 3-star ATH Will Taylor following Sunday evening when neither were taken in the first-round of the MLB Draft, those hopes came crashing down Monday afternoon.

Chandler was selected with the No. 72 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates. That pick has a slot value of $870,000.

Clemson football will have to move forward without Chandler, wishing him nothing but the best

For those who are wondering, Chandler could still turn down the deal and elect to stay at Clemson but that’s not likely to happen.

Typically, when you see high school players taken in the second-round and even in the third-round, it’s because they’ve worked out a deal with the franchise that is selecting them.

Even though the No. 72 overall pick has a slot value of $870,000, the Pirates could potentially pay him more and likely have already struck a deal with him. Tigernet’s David Hood reported as much Sunday night when he said if we were to see either of the Clemson signees selected on Day 2, that they likely already had a deal struck.

For those that don’t remember, Chandler was committed to UGA baseball solely as a baseball player before he got the offer from Clemson football. That tells us that he has always viewed baseball in a bit brighter light than football when it comes to his professional capability.

Clemson will still have to wait on final word from Chandler and the Tigers will be watching closely to see what happens with Will Taylor over the course of the next day, as well.