Last year, Mississippi featured a two-sport high school star who was one of the draft's most electric athletes but ultimately couldn't be enticed to play professional baseball. The Red Sox drafted Pascagoula High outfielder Senquez Golson in the eighth round and offered him a seven-figure bonus before he decided to play football and baseball at Mississippi.

History is repeating itself this spring, as Petal (Miss.) High outfielder Anthony Alford has informed baseball teams that he's intent on playing football and baseball at Southern Mississippi in lieu of turning pro.

The first player in Mississippi history to win the state's Gatorade football player of the year award as both a junior and senior, Alford quarterbacked Petal to the 6-A state championship game last fall. He passed for 2,058 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 1,731 yards and another 24 scores.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Alford offers tantalizing potential on the diamond as well. An outfielder with plus-plus speed and good power potential, he might have commanded a seven-figure bonus if he were willing to commit to baseball. He entered the second round of the state 6-A playoffs hitting .479 with three homers and 12 steals in 25 games.