Big decisions ahead for OU signee Archie Bradley

At the moment, both ESPN and Baseball America rank him as one of the 10-best overall prospects. More than a dozen scouts showed up to watch Bradley toss a one-hitter and strike out 12 in Broken Arrow's 5-0 win over Bixby to open the season last week.

But in an interview with The Oklahoman, Bradley cautions it's not all about money. And the option to go to OU — which has given him the opportunity to play both football and baseball — will remain on the table even if he does go in the first round of the draft.

I'm going to get the toughest question out of the way first. Some MLB gurus have pegged you as a possible first-round pick. If you get drafted that high and the money is on par, is there a scenario in which you would still to come to OU?

“Ha, you are starting with the toughest question. Every interview I do, that question comes up, and it's the same answer. It's going to come down to what I really feel is best for me. I've used this analogy a bunch: Andrew Luck staying at Stanford proved that money isn't everything. I have to make a decision that I can be happy with. I'll weigh it out, whether it's OU or pro ball is right for my future. It's gonna be a big decision.

“But also, not to talk bad other schools, but if I were in this position at any other school, I wouldn't feel so strongly. The coaches are giving me the chance to play two sports. Pro ball is great, but turning down the chance to play two sports in college and get an education is hard to do.”

Did any other school recruit you to play both football and baseball?

“Not really, and that was most frustrating for me. I always felt like I didn't get enough respect in the football world. I put on a good showing at the Elite 11 camp. I made it clear that I wanted to play both at the D-I level. OU was the only big D-I school that offered me that opportunity.”

Which schools recruited you for baseball, and which for football?