FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas right-handed pitcher Austin Ledbetter is leaving the Arkansas baseball program to join the football team as a quarterback, the sophomore announced Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"After much prayer, thought and conversation with my family, I have decided to put my career in baseball behind me," Ledbetter said. "After talking with Coach Pittman and Coach Petrino, I have decided to pursue a football career at the University of Arkansas. I am super grateful for this opportunity and ready to get to work."
Ledbetter, 6-1, 190 pounds, played two seasons with the Razorbacks, recording 31 strikeouts and a 5.45 ERA over 39.2 innings.
Ledbetter appeared in 21 games over two seasons for the Razorbacks, striking out 31 batters and recording a 5.45 ERA in 39.2 innings.
He was a member of the Arkansas pitching staff that set a new school record with 674 strikeouts in 2022.
"I want to give glory to God for all the opportunities he has presented me with," Ledbetter said. "These past two years playing baseball at Arkansas have been nothing short of amazing. I want to thank the coaches and staff for always supporting me and constantly pushing me to be my best."
While the announcement is a surprise, football isn't unfamiliar territory for Ledbetter.
Before pursuing baseball at Arkansas, Ledbetter led Bryant High School to three consecutive state championships in the largest classification and never lost a game as a quarterback from 2018-2020.
Following the Hornets' 27-17 victory over North Little Rock to claim their third straight state title, former Bryant head coach Buck James, now the head man at Conway, called Ledbetter the "greatest quarterback that has ever played in Arkansas history."
Ledbetter threw for 3,086 yards with 41 touchdowns and five interceptions his senior season and was named Gatorade's Arkansas Football Player of the Year. In his three-year high school career, he completed 62 percent of his passes for 6,168 yards, 82 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Despite his success on the gridiron, Ledbetter joined the Hogs baseball team in 2021 as the state's top third baseman and No. 6 overall prospect by Perfect Game.
The sophomore joins Taylen Green, Jacolby Criswell, Malachi Singleton, Rykar Acebo and KJ Jackson in Arkansas's quarterback room.