"Right now, I'm pretty much set on going to college — that's what I'm going to do," Tate told Scout.com in December of 2008.
Things changed, and quickly.Β
The San Diego Padres selected Tate No. 3 overall in the 2009 MLB Draft, and offered him a $6.25 million signing bonus, the highest in club history.Β
Tate did what the vast majority of 18-year-old kids would do. He took the money and ran.
Within weeks, Tate was a professional baseball player. College would have to wait.Β
So long, Tar Heels. Hello, money.Β
