While MacKinnon backed away from his baseball commitment to South Florida, he said he’ll consider playing both sports at Michigan.
Doug FernandesSarasota Herald-Tribune
SARASOTA - Jack MacKinnon would rather be a cold Wolverine than a warm Bull.
In November, the Cardinal Mooney senior committed to play baseball at South Florida. Then, something happened to make MacKinnon think differently.
That something was the end of the Cougar football season.
As he walked off the field following Mooney’s 38-7 playoff loss to John Carroll Catholic, the team’s star defensive end had a change of heart. And mind.
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“Finishing up the football season,” MacKinnon said, “I got off the field after the last game and I was devastated. I cannot not play this sport anymore. Football is what I want to do. I want to play football.”
The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder decommitted from South Florida and let it be known that the college gridiron is where he wanted to call home. Soon, he was in contact with the University of Michigan, a dialogue which ended with MacKinnon committing earlier this month to the Ann Arbor school for football.
“Florida State gave me a little bit of a look,” he said, “but Michigan . . . I just wanted to go to Michigan. I love both (football and baseball). It was a real struggle trying to pick between the two of them.”
As an outfielder/pitcher last season for the Cougars, MacKinnon hit .239 with six doubles and 13 RBI. On the mound, he finished 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA in seven innings pitched. But on the football field, he dominated, earning a spot on the Herald-Tribune All-Area Defense with a season of 58 tackles and a team-high 13 sacks.
“This year definitely helped out a lot,” MacKinnon said. “What I did this season made me realize I had a chance to play college football, and that’s what I wanted to do.”
What also played a factor in his decision was the grind needed to reach the major leagues. “Baseball is one of the hardest things to do,” he said. “My dad’s a Michigan fan, and I have family and friends from up there.”
And while MacKinnon backed away from his baseball commitment to South Florida, he said he’ll consider playing both sports at Michigan.
“There are a couple of guys on the Michigan football team who also play baseball,” he said. “It’s something I have to think about, for sure. I mean, I might give both a shot. I think I could do that.”
MacKinnon said he expects to be redshirted his freshman year. The time will allow him to put on weight and strength. The Wolverines project him as a stand-up defensive end, someone capable of rushing the quarterback and dropping into coverage.
He also wants to pursue a degree in business, and said Michigan’s Ross School of Business helped influence his decision.
“I know it’s going to be cold, but I’m excited for it,” MacKinnon said. “I’m excited to know where I’m going. I will go up there and put the work in and get it done.”
