USC football’s D.J. Neal drafted by hometown Atlanta Braves

South Carolina freshman wide receiver Dexter “D.J.” Neal is officially a Major League Baseball draftee.

Neal, from Stephenson High in Stone Mountain, Ga., was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 32nd round, or No. 960 overall. He worked out for the Braves late last month.

Neal has already moved on campus and has expressed an interest in playing baseball at USC. He told The State that he would have to go in the first three rounds to be enticed to leave.

Neal also has worked out with scouts from Arizona, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston, the Chicago Cubs, Texas and Baltimore. A first-team All-American outfielder by PerfectGame, Neal was considered a prospect with great power potential.

He’s also a four-star wide receiver ranked 31st at his position nationwide. Committed since May 2013, Neal has long planned to be at USC.

Neal has talked with Steve Spurrier and Chad Holbrook about playing both sports at USC, and Holbrook has told him he’ll have a chance to make the team. It’s nothing new for Holbrook – Shon Carson, Ahmad Christian and Kwinton Smith were each USC football players who were MLB draftees and at least thought about playing college baseball.

“Baseball is a passion of mine and I’ve actually already been in coach Holbrook’s office and the locker room,” he said. “He let me know that outfield spots are open and I could come in and try for the position.”

This story was originally published June 10, 2015 at 5:12 PM.