"Coming from West Texas, nobody really expects somebody to play pro baseball simply because West Texas is all about their football, but I am blessed to be able to play both college football and pro baseball," Marquez said in a statement released by his agents. "It’s something a lot of people don’t get the chance to do, and I’m blessed to have this opportunity and play for a great college as well as a great baseball organization in the New York Mets. Simply the best of both worlds."