USF QB Bryce Archie drafted by Cincinnati Reds: Will the Bulls lose him to MLB?

The USF quarterback room may need a major makeover less than six weeks before the Bulls' opening game with Boise State. That's because the Cincinnati Reds took quarterback/pitcher Bryce Archie in the 14th round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

There was no official word early Tuesday that Archie had signed with the Reds, although a tweet from USF baseball noted, “Bryce Archie is trading his Green for Red.”

The tweet appeared to jump the gun.

A USF spokesperson stated that Archie was on campus on Tuesday and participating in football team workouts.

MLB salary guidelines for draftees put Archie’s signing bonus at about $150,000.

If Archie forgoes his final season with the Bulls, it likely elevates true freshman Locklan Hewlett to the backup quarterback role to Byrum Brown.

Hewlett enrolled at USF in January after completing his career at St. Augustine High School, where he was a U.S. Army All-American. He completed 61 percent of his passes for more than 5,000 yards and 47 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions.

He was a full participant in USF spring practices and completed 13 of 14 passes in the spring game for 110 yards and three touchdowns.

Hewlett chose USF over schools like Miami, Texas A&M, Pitt, Arizona, and – this will make Bulls Nation happy – UCF.

Archie helped save USF’s season last year. He stepped in against Tulane on September 28 after Brown suffered a broken leg and started the final eight games, including the epic five-overtime win over San Jose State in the Hawaii Bowl.

With Archie under center, the Bulls went 5-3. With Brown fully healthy now, Archie would most likely reassume his backup role.

If he wants a career in professional sports, Archie almost certainly would have to choose baseball.

A right-hander, Archie appeared in 15 games last season for the Bulls, mostly in relief. He was 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in 44.1 innings. He struck out 36 and walked 16.

Those are strong numbers, especially when one considers that he spent much of the baseball season splitting time with his football obligations.

“I wouldn't say it's easy. I'd be lying to you if I sat up here instead and said it was just easy. But my routine is to wake up around 6:30. Sometimes, like today (for the first day of football practice), I woke up at six," he said during a media session last spring after USF's first football practice.

“I've got some pre-rehab for my arm to get it ready for practice today, and then I'll go practice. After that, I'll eat lunch and then head to baseball practice. If I have time, I'll rest for a little bit and then attend meetings.”

His work ethic drew praise from USF head baseball coach Mitch Hannahs.

"There might be athletes who want to do something like this, but there aren't many who actually can do it like Bryce,'' Hannahs told GoUSFBulls.com.

"It is grueling. He's fitting into two locker rooms — and he's fitting in very well in our baseball locker room. And I'll tell you, it has been impressive to watch him not get much (baseball) work, yet he consistently goes to the mound, competes like crazy, and throws quality pitches.''

Will he stay or go?

We will know soon enough.