COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Former BriSox Pitcher Now A Record-Setting Receiver for Rice University

By Tim Hayes
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: December 28, 2008

BY TIM HAYES
Bristol Herald Courier

Just four years ago, James Casey was enduring bumpy bus rides to places like Princeton, W.Va., and Burlington, N.C., while playing baseball at the lowest level of the minor leagues.

Things couldn’t be any more different for Casey these days.

Now a record-setting receiver at Rice University, Casey will showcase his skills on a national stage Tuesday night when the Owls play Western Michigan in the third annual Texas Bowl.

One year after winning just three games, Rice’s ascendency to bowl participant has been one of college football’s top stories. But the tale of Casey’s transition from professional baseball player to college football star might be more compelling.

A seventh-round selection by the Chicago White Sox in the 2003 MLB Amateur draft out of Azle High School in Texas, the 18-year-old right-handed pitcher was assigned to Bristol of the rookie-level Appalachian League.

Casey arrived at Bristol’s DeVault Stadium that summer as a wide-eyed youngster with a nice curveball and plenty of self-confidence. He showed plenty of promise, too.

He went 2-2 with one save and a 4.28 ERA, striking out 41 batters in 40 innings of work. He quickly embraced the life of a minor leaguer, saying he didn’t mind the long days under the sun or the boring bus rides to small towns.

“I was 18 and had never been away from home much,” Casey said in a telephone interview earlier this month. “But overall, it was just a great experience. I got to see some different places, and Bristol was great to me. Overall, it was just a good experience and I enjoyed it … I got to meet a lot of people and am still friends with a lot of them.”

But the success soon ended. He returned to Bristol in 2004 and finished 1-4 with a 7.61 ERA in 12 outings. The next year, he pitched poorly for another Chicago farm team and was released.

He eventually latched on with two independent league teams, but was hit around in those stops, too.

At just 21-years-old, his baseball career was over.

“After I left Bristol, I went to a team in Great Falls [Montana] and couldn’t get my control down,” Casey said. “I wasn’t throwing many strikes, and I got released. I thought it was a bad deal and at the time, it was one of the worst things to happen to me. It turned out it was one of the best things.”

Casey had been a standout quarterback in high school. So, he decided to give football another try. He sent out highlight videos to several colleges in hopes of walking on.

He piqued the interest of Rice – where former high school teammate Dustin Hufsey played –  and after much evaluation the coaching staff eventually offered him a scholarship. It didn’t take Casey long to make an impact, even if he did have some initial reservations.

“It was tough,” Casey said. “I didn’t play football for four years because I was doing the baseball thing in the minor leagues. I hadn’t even put pads on in a long time. I was nervous of how I was going to respond. But coming back to college, I was more mature and I really made sure that when I came back I would have no regrets.”

Casey, a 24-year-old sophomore, hasn’t done anything to regret in his two seasons with the Owls. He’s spent time at wide receiver, tight end, running back, quarterback, punt returner and holder.

He established a Conference USA record with 104 receptions this season and has scored 18 touchdowns (12 receiving, six rushing), while also throwing a pair of TD passes.

Rice quarterback Chase Clement, when talking to the media earlier this season, referred to Casey as one of the most exciting players in college football.

Casey helped Rice compile a 9-3 record and earn a spot in a nationally-televised bowl game (8 p.m. on the NFL Network).

Even Casey has a hard time believing his football fortunes sometimes.

“I would have never imagined when I was back in Bristol, I would be playing football and at all these different positions,” Casey said. “If you would have told me I would do that, I would have thought you were crazy. I’m blessed to have this opportunity.”

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James Casey
With Bristol White Sox
2003: 2-2, 1 Save, 4.28 ERA in 10 games (6 starts)
2004: 1-4, 0 Saves, 7.61 ERA in 12 games (9 starts)
With Rice University
2007: 46 catches, 585 yards, 4 touchdowns; 45 carries, 121 yards, 5 touchdowns2008: 104 catches, 1,217 yards, 12 touchdowns; 54 carries, 231 yards, 6 touchdowns