Another former Texas A&M Aggie has inked a deal with a major league ball club. On Friday morning, right-handed pitcher Luke Jackson signed a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.
In a move that surprised many Texas A&M fans, Jackson entered the transfer portal following a strong season as a relief pitcher for the Aggies. Prior to the 2025 MLB Draft, he announced his transfer to Dallas Baptist University. Just a week later, the Rays selected him in the 11th round, forcing Jackson to make a crucial decision: return to college and aim to improve his draft stock or begin his professional development immediately and avoid the risk of going undrafted.
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One recent cautionary tale is fellow Aggie pitcher Ryan Prager, whose decision to return to A&M didn’t pay off. A&M missed the postseason, and Prager fell six rounds in the 2025 MLB Draft after previously being taken in the third round in 2024.
Jackson, who boasts plenty of raw tools, chose the certainty. He signed a deal worth nearly $500,000, officially bringing to a close his college career. While limited at A&M due to injury, he posted a 5.74 ERA with 28 strikeouts over 26.2 innings.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Former Texas A&M RHP Luke Jackson Signs MLB Deal with Tampa Bay Rays