Notre Dame's Jeff Samardzija Signs With Cubs
• First Team All-BIG EAST Selection (2006)
• Fifth-Round Major League Draft Selection (2006; Chicago Cubs)
• Freshman All-American (2004; Collegiate Baseball magazine)
• Football Consensus First Team All-American (2005)
Just announced this afternoon that Jeff Samardzija, who was expected to be a first round pick in this year's NFL draft, has decided instead to sign with the Chicago Cubs for an expected $5 million.
Samardzija was drafted by the Cubs in the 5th round of the 2006 Draft. His fast ball is purportedly 97 mph. As reported by Dave Kaplan, WGN Sports, he is an excellent pitcher who should make the major leagues in a rather short time.
WITH NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL: Totaled just 24 catches for 327 yards and no touchdowns in first two seasons with the Irish football team but burst onto the scene with record-setting '05 season that earned him consensus All-America honors ... also one of three finalists for Biletnikoff Award (given to college football's top receiver) ... set ND season record for TD catches (15) while tying Tom Gatewood's 1970 record for receptions (77) and ranking third in the ND record book with 1,249 receiving yards ... ... set ND record for consecutive games with a TD catch (8, at start of `05) ... made highlightreel, 19-yard TD catch in opener vs. Pittsburgh ... tied ND record with three TD catches vs. Michigan State ... his 153 receiving yards vs. Purdue included one-handed, leaping grab for 41-yard gain and two TD catches (one a 55-yard play that saw him slip five tackles) ... latched onto six passes for 99 yards and 32-yard TD (on third-down play, for 14-14 tie) in showdown with USC ... had 10 catches for 154 yards and pair of TDs vs. BYU ... combined with Maurice Stovall (14) as first ND duo to have 10-plus catches in same game ... 127-yard day vs. Tennessee (7 catches) included 73-yard play on short pattern, sparking go-ahead march to break 21-21 tie (he scored the TD) ... made eight catches for 191 yards and pair of TDs at Stanford, including 80-yard play after short catch ... second on `04 team with 16.1 yards per catch (17 for 274, in 12 GP) ... enjoyed big night versus Oregon State in Insight Bowl (5 catches, 89 yards) to end 2004 season ... first lettered as a freshman in `03 (7 catches, 53 yards) ... also served as 2005 place-kick holder and played as deep safety on defense in two '05 games. (courtesy official website)
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