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Jeff Samardzija's dreams of becoming the next Bo Jackson are over.

The Cubs announced Friday that the pitcher will forgo an NFL career to sign a five-year deal to play baseball full-time, beginning in the team's minor league system. That deal guarantees Samardzija $10 million over five years and includes a $2.5 million signing bonus and two club option years that could make the contract total $16.5 million over seven years. The story was reported by Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune staff.

Samardzija was rated a top 30 pro prospect for the NFL Draft '07 by Draft Insiders.com. He will still be available in the player process but he will most likely either not be chosen or drafted until very late and beyond the Top 200 prospects.

When the Cubs drafted Samardzija last June, his intentions were to play football and baseball professionally, with a dream of playing for the Bears and the Cubs.

Samardzija pitched for Class A Boise and Peoria, where he finished a combined 1-2 with a 2.70 earned run average. He struck out 17 and walked 12 in 30 innings. He then returned to Notre Dame for the football season. Samardzija is expected to start in Class A Peoria for new manager Ryne Sandberg.

Samardzija got a $250,000 signing bonus after being picked in the fifth round of the draft. At the time, the Cubs believed the 6-foot-5-inch, 218-pounder from Valparaiso, Ind., would've been a first-round pick if he wasn't expected to play wide receiver in the NFL.

"Jeff obviously is thrilled to be with the Cubs and we have an understanding," general manager Jim Hendry said in June. "Hopefully down the road, he will be a Cub."

That day came Friday.

This story was written by Paul Sullivan a Chicago Tribune staff reporter and the Staff at Draft Insiders.com /