Arkansas has added a seventh quarterback to what was already going to be a crowded position.
Austin Aune, a former three-star recruit from Argyle, Texas, and signee with TCU, is enrolled at the UA, according to multiple media reports.
He will be participating in spring practice.
According to a story from Andrew Hutchinson with Hawgs247.com:
Although he was a member of the Horned Frogs’ 2012 signing class, Aune never played a down. He was selected by the New York Yankees in the second round of the MLB Draft and passed up the gridiron for a $1 million bonus, which was nearly double the slot value for the 89th overall pick.
Aune played six seasons in the Yankees’ minor league system, including the last two years at High-A Tampa. The shortstop-turned-outfielder never lived up to expectations, hitting just .226 with 20 home runs and 148 RBIs in 387 games. His best season was with Single-A Charleston in 2015, when he had career highs in batting average (.246), doubles (29), triples (10), home runs (8) and RBIs (49).
The Yankees released Aune in August and he’s looking to revive a football career along the lines of Chris Weinke at Florida State and Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State.
He is 24 years old, but turns 25 in September, just a few days after the Hogs open the 2018 season against Eastern Illinois.
Aune unoficially visited Arkansas on the weekend prior to the early signing period in December and is now enrolled as a student, according to the university’s directory.
Aune threw for 3,411 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior. Despite being listed as a pro-style quarterback in the 247Sports database, he also added 538 yards and nine scores on the ground.
The quarterbacks on scholarship already are Cole Kelley, Ty Storey and Daulton Hyatt. There are two walk-ons in Jack Lindsey and Carson Proctor with four-star signee Connor Noland, but he won’t join the team until fall drills start.
