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Bubba Starling signs with Royals at deadline and bypasses Nebraska on Astini News

The clocked ticked to midnight on the East Coast on Monday night and Bubba Starling decided his future was with the Kansas City Royals and not with the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Starling, the No. 5 overall selection in June's draft, agreed to a deal reportedly worth $7.5 million guaranteed.

A standout pitcher, outfielder and quarterback at Gardner Edgerton High just outside Kansas City, Starling would have had to wait three years before being drafted again if he declined to sign with his hometown team.

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"We are ecstatic and relieved to have this process behind us and have Bubba in the fold," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said in a statement. "I'm also thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement with a fine young man from this area who put being a Royal among his priorities in this process. It's now time to get his professional playing career under way."

Rated the No. 119 overall football prospect by Rivals.com, Starling signed with Nebraska in February. He attended summer classes at the school and participated in the team's fan day last week.

However, Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini withheld Starling from practice until his contract situation was resolved.

"Everyone associated with our football program at Nebraska wishes Bubba nothing but the best in his future with the Kansas City Royals organization," Pelini said in a statement. "I know this decision has been very difficult for Bubba and his family, as it would be for anyone in his position. In the end, Bubba was in a win-win situation regardless of his choice, and we respect the decision he has made. I personally will root for Bubba in every game except when he plays against the Indians!"

Without Starling, the Cornhuskers only have two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster -- Taylor Martinez and Brion Carnes.

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