Jessup One Of 27 College Seniors Selected In LPFA Draft
May 25, 2016 | Softball
ATLANTA, Ga. -- Mississippi State senior infielder Jennifer Jessup was among 27 of the top collegiate softball players nationwide drafted into the Ladies Pro Fastpitch Association Wednesday morning, marking the second time in as many years the East Dublin, Ga., native has been selected for professional play.
Jessup joined Georgia first baseman Kim Wendland as the only Southeastern Conference seniors to be drafted as the MSU middle infielder was selected with the 23rd overall pick. Prior to the 2004 campaign, Jessup was selected with the 10th overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch senior draft by the New England Riptide. Because of injury, Jessup opted for a medical redshirt last season giving her one more year of college eligibility.
The LPFA Tour festival weekend brings the world¹s best professional fastpitch softball players together with amateur communities across the United States. During each festival weekend players, coaches and staff will incorporate youth and coach instruction, player mentoring and corporate endorsement into their schedule of games.
The LPFA's network of professional scouts, headed up by former UCLA head coach Sharron Backus, earmarked Jessup as ?€˜a complete player and a defensive anchor at shortstop.' NCAA guidelines prohibit contract discussions between professional organization and college-eligible athletes. In keeping with those guidelines the LPFA Tour will be offering contracts to drafted seniors immediately after the expiration of their college eligibility.
Should she opt to be a part of the NPF following the conclusion of her collegiate playing career, Jessup's rights continue to be owned by the Riptide.
"This is a great honor for J.J.," said Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller. "Over the last few years, if you look at the players that we have had come through here, it is a testament to the hard work and effort that she has put in. I know that she is real interested in playing professionally after this season and, with her being drafted by the NPF last season, it gives her a little negotiating power and she can sort of see what would be the best fit for her."
Over the last nine years, six Mississippi State players (including Jessup) have been drafted by professional organizations, including current third baseman Tanelda McDonald who was selected by the Harlem Diamonds organization in January.
Last season, three-time all-American Iyhia McMichael was the top overall pick in the NPF Senior Draft by the Akron Racers where she went on to take home league MVP and batting title honors in the inaugural season of the organization. Three players * McMichael, Kellie Wilkerson (NY/NJ Juggernaut) and Karrie Rider (Texas Thunder) are currently playing with the NPF.
Wilkerson was the leading hitter (second overall among NPF leaders) on the Juggernaut squad that captured the NPF title in 2004.
