Washington QB Locker signs with Angels

[Sgt John]

SEATTLE -- Washington quarterback Jake Locker has his fallback should football not work out: a deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

Washington spokesman Jeff Bechthold confirmed Saturday night that Locker has agreed to a deal with the Angels, who drafted him in the 10th round of the June amateur draft. Terms of the deal were not available. Locker's father, Scott, had been negotiating with the Angels on his son's behalf.

"It's good to have something that is a done deal. Now I don't have to worry about it," Locker said after Washington finished practice Saturday night. "I'm just looking forward to the [football] season now."

It was the second time the Angels nabbed the dual-sport talent, using a 40th-round selection on Locker after his senior season at Ferndale High School, knowing that Locker wouldn't sign then. But they came back after his third-year of college and took a chance on Locker, with the understanding that Locker gets to exhaust all efforts to play football before turning to baseball.

"If things don't happen to work out the way I hope they will [with football] I would still have an opportunity to play for a living," Locker said after being drafted in June.

The selection in June didn't come as a surprise to Locker. He said the Angels, Brewers, Twins and some other teams talked to him through the spring about his interest in baseball.

Even with a deal, baseball is a second option. Locker's immediate goal is trying to rebuild a Washington football program that went 0-12 last year under former coach Tyrone Willingham. Locker missed most of that dismal season after breaking the thumb on his throwing hand in September against Stanford.

He underwent surgery, and looked good in Washington's spring game in late April, completing 16 of 18 passes for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He's had no issues with the thumb during fall camp thus far.

The Angels will hold Locker's rights for six years, until 2015. Locker said in June he'd require a provision that the Angels pay for his remaining schooling at Washington, as he will be forced to give up his football scholarship.

A star in both baseball and football in high school, Locker spent part of the 2008 summer playing for the Bellingham Bells of the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League. Locker hit .273 with two doubles and a homer in 10 games. But he decided this spring not to play baseball in the summer and focus on workouts with his football teammates.

Hmmm......

 

[catman]

Things like this happen a lot. The kid will make a decision in a year or so between football and baseball.

 

[Sgt John]

If at all possible he will go football. Washington fans have nothing to worry about regarding this talented QBs focus.

 

[WesDawg]

Talk about a rapidly falling stock. 2 seasons ago this cat was being commonly referred to as the "West Coast Tebow", then he gets swept up in Willingham's Notre Dame negativity to the tune of an 0-12 season.

Maybe baseball is his true future, a la Samardzia?

 

[Sgt John]

I dont think so. He is one talented mofo, thats for sure. May end up being a sixth rounder you wish your team took in the second. I admire his fire and dedication to what is for now a lost cause. By the time (if it comes) Sarkesian gets Washington turned around Locker will have been gone a few years.

 

[MtTacWa]

Locker was injured during the 4th game of the 2008 season (Stanford) and never really had a decent O-Line to begin with. Sark currently has revamped the O-Line and things should improve for Locker. It couldn't get any worse.

Washington's fall from the elite of the Pac-10 fell long before Ty even started coaching there...(remember Gilley?)

The Tac is back...........

 

[catman]

Nice to see an old face around here.
As to Locker, I'm sure baseball is just a "fall-back" option for him. He'll likely see how things go this fall in football. If they go well, he'll stick with it.

 

[MtTacWa]

Nice to be back.....too many crazy things happening the past few years....damn, has it been that long ago? Geeeezzzzzzzzzzz

Locker hasn't played any Baseball since arriving at Washington. IMO, if football doesn't pan out for him, could be awhile before he's even ready for Minor League Baseball.

 

[catman]

He'll have a few years in the very low minors to get his baseball back, but he's a good athlete so he should be fine. He'll definitely be behind the other guys on his team for a while.

 

[Bucknut]

I really enjoy watching this kid play, too bad his talent has been wasted with Willingham.

Could you imagine him somewhere else? Like Texas Tech or a simliar offense?

 

[Kingdome]

Talk about a rapidly falling stock. 2 seasons ago this cat was being commonly referred to as the "West Coast Tebow", then he gets swept up in Willingham's Notre Dame negativity to the tune of an 0-12 season.

Jake missed most of last year to injury. RS Frosh. Ronnie Fouch was at helm for most of the 0-12 culmination of hiring & retaining one of the biggest frauds in college football history.

 

[Kingdome]

I really enjoy watching this kid play, too bad his talent has been wasted with Willingham.

Could you imagine him somewhere else? Like Texas Tech or a simliar offense?

I don't think he would fare well in TT's offense. He would do well with Urban Meyer or Rick Neuheisel. Heck, I think he will be good under Sarkisian. They are scheming the offense around Jake's abilities, the depth at the skill positions, and the suspect OL.

 

[Kingdome]

He'll have a few years in the very low minors to get his baseball back, but he's a good athlete so he should be fine. He'll definitely be behind the other guys on his team for a while.

Tyrone "fraud" Willingham encouraged Jake to play baseball last summer instead of working out with the team. Jake ended up playing with the semi-pro Bellingham Bells.

 

[Kingdome]

The Tac is back...........

Sweet! Welcome back! I should of read whole thread before responding, because you help set the record straight.

 

[MtTacWa]

Sweet! Welcome back! I should of read whole thread before responding, because you help set the record straight.

Nice to be back...things have been pretty hectic the past few years and now getting back to normal...I think :nod:

Now if the Huskies can get their stuff together, the road to recovery will be sweet. Locker will be a big part in the recovery...I'm sure he will do pretty good.