Ledbetter quits Arkansas baseball…to play Arkansas football

Ledbetter was an All-American his senior year at Bryant when he led BHS to the state title at quarterback.

Austin Ledbetter can sling it. The Arkansas baseball pitcher threw in 15 games last year for the Diamond Hogs.

But he won’t throw any when springtime rolls around this school year.

That’s because he’s switching which ball exits his right hand.

Ledbetter announced Thursday he would leave Arkansas baseball for Arkansas football. He will be a walk-on for coach Sam Pittman and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino at quarterback.

“After talking with Coach Pittman and Coach Petrino, I have decided to pursue a football career at the University of Arkansas,” Ledbetter wrote on Twitter/X. “I am super grateful for this opportunity and ready to get to work.”

Ledbetter will join a quarterback room that features last year’s back-up Jacolby Criswell, Boise State transfer Taylen Green, redshirt freshman Malachi Singleton and incoming freshman KJ Jackson as primary competition.

He shouldn’t feel out of place. Ledbetter threw for 2,926 yards and 42 touchdowns his senior year of high school while leading Bryant to a state title in Arkansas’ highest classification. The year was so good that he earned All-American honors.