Jeff Samardzija, whom the Cubs selected in the fifth round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, will forgo the National Football League Draft and commit to a baseball career. Samardzija finished his football career at the University of Notre Dame this year as the program's career leader in receiving yards with 2,593 and receiving touchdowns with 27. The right-hander posted a 2.70 ERA across two Class A levels with the Cubs in 2006. Samardzija is expected to begin the season at Class A Peoria under new manager Ryne Sandberg, according to the Chicago Tribune.