Michigan State Football: Adam Berghorst lauded as dual-sport athlete

Michigan State football’s Adam Berghorst is looking for his first true shot on the gridiron, but Baseball America is high on him on the diamond.

Adam Berghorst is still waiting for his true opportunity. The sophomore was hoping to get some action in his first year in 2019 but the defensive line was loaded enough and he wasn’t needed.

In fact, the coaching staff felt as if he wasn’t needed at all on that side of the ball despite being an intriguing defensive end prospect coming in with a 6-7, 245-pound frame. He was a three-star recruit but he had yet to really grow into his game and he looked like the future of the defense at end with the departure of Kenny Willekes this offseason.

However, he was moved to tight end and that seemed to stick as he’s remained at the position under the new coaching staff.

While he is still waiting for his chance to prove himself on the gridiron, he’s turning some heads on the diamond. According to Baseball America, Berghorst is the No. 3 baseball player in college football. He sits behind only Maurice Hampton of LSU and Jerrion Ealy of Ole Miss and this is what Baseball America had to say:

"Berghorst was a two-sport standout in high school, ranked as a three-star defensive end by 247 sports and was drafted in the 14th round in 2019 by the Rangers. He opted to continue playing both sports at Michigan State instead of signing and had an impressive freshman year overall. He moved to tight end and played the last five games of the season, including the Spartans’ Pinstripe Bowl victory. He then smoothly transitioned to the diamond, where he went 0-1, 1.17 with one save in 15.1 innings. Big and physical at 6-foot-7, 260 pounds, Berghorst this spring threw his fastball 88-90 mph with a very good changeup and plenty of projection left."

Those who remember Berghorst’s recruitment initially recall him having to make a decision about his college football future after being drafted by the Rangers. He was in the same boat as fellow 2019 class signee Jase Bowen who decided to pursue an MLB future, spurning the Spartans.

We should see plenty more of Berghorst this season with the departure of Matt Seybert and a potentially not-100 percent Matt Dotson.

If football doesn’t work out, though, it seems pretty clear that baseball will be a serious option at the next level. But let’s hope football works out.