BJ Gibson’s fast start to his freshman season is even more impressive considering he was busy practicing and playing football through November. Gibson didn’t really begin swinging a bat on a day-to-day basis until December.
FSU baseball coach Link Jarrett gave Gibson some time to exhale after football season before encouraging the two-sport star to pivot to baseball.
“After the Florida game, a week later, coach Jarrett called me and said, ‘Let’s do it,’ ” Gibson said. “It kind of happened quick.”
Gibson began taking swings in the batting cages over winter break and then stood in the batter's box for live pitching in January. The acclimation began quickly, and Gibson was elevated into a significant role last week when Chase Williams was injured, and Max Williams left a game at Jacksonville.
What has Gibson done? He’s hitting .368 with three doubles, six runs scored, four walks and two hit by pitches. Gibson’s .520 on-base percentage has been quite good considering the quick turnaround in the last few months and that the last time he played baseball on a day-to-day basis was August 2023. As an early enrollee, Gibson didn't play high school baseball in 2024 since he was on campus and taking part in football workouts.
Gibson has a modest seven-game on-base streak going into a three-game series against Lipscomb which begins Friday at 5 p.m. (ACC Network Extra).
“As the at-bats go on, I get more comfortable in the box,” Gibson said. “And the more comfortable I feel in the box, I feel I can beat any pitcher, any day.”
While Gibson is absorbing and learning how to play left field at Howser, he’s also making time to work with the football team.
“Right now, baseball is a priority,” Gibson said. “Going to practice every day, getting that done. Do most of the football stuff when I can. Baseball is taking up all of my time right now. When I can do football stuff, go to meetings, go to walkthroughs. My plate’s full right now.”
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The Seminoles (13-0) are among the nation’s top 5 teams but outfield depth is a question mark. Gibson is developing ahead of schedule but is also a need for FSU given injuries to Chase Williams and Brody DeLamielleure.
With football practice beginning when students return following spring break, which is next week, how will Gibson juggle his time? Gibson had two catches for 14 yards in 2024, but playing time at receiver is expected to be wide open this spring and fall.
“I'm going to meet with the football guys on what is best for BJ and our situation — and him and them,” Jarrett said on Thursday. “This is part of the glamor of the two-sport athletes. And what I think makes Florida State unique, it's been a part of our history, and how to manage that is important to both programs, BJ in particular and our lineup.
"I'm going to talk to the football staff, and we've been trying to manage that. The last couple days have clearly been pretty busy for me, and I know they're getting close to ramping up for their spring practice. We'll sort that out.”
Gibson was asked which sport he likes more. He smiled and said, “No favorites.” But this is what Gibson wanted when he was a recruit, the opportunity at FSU to play football and baseball after he was originally committed to play only baseball at Tennessee.
“Coach (Mike) Norvell and coach Jarrett are the two best coaches in the country,” Gibson said. “I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else. They made that promise to me that I was going to do both. It’s happening.”
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