A.J. Puk has received letters from such prestigious college baseball programs as Florida, LSU, Miami, Arizona State and Arkansas, top schools that are always on the prowl for talent.

He performed well at a major showcase in California last week for many of the top juniors-to-be in the nation, and when it ended he spoke with assistant coaches from Missouri and San Diego about his future in baseball.

On top of that, he's accepted an invitation to play four or five events this fall with the Canes North, an elite travel team that's based in Virginia and plays in major events all over the country.

Given all that, it probably comes as no surprise that Puk decided to leave the Cedar Rapids Washington football program and concentrate on his blooming baseball career.

Puk called Washington football coach Tony Lombardi with the news on Monday, then met with his former teammates at practice that afternoon.

"It was hard, because I know I've kind of let them down," he told the Metro Sports Report Thursday night. "But I know Braedon (Tovey) will do a fine job at quarterback. And the team was real nice about it."

Puk left for California last Wednesday, fully intending to rejoin the Washington football team this week. He changed his mind after performing well in the showcase.

"I pitched good and hit really hard," he said.

Puk was Washington's starting quarterback last year as a sophomore and helped the Warriors make the Class 4A playoffs. He's played varsity baseball for the Warriors since he was in the eighth grade, and now it appears the 6-foot-4 lefthander could develop into the next elite baseball player from Cedar Rapids.

Puk knows that receiving a letter or a questionnaire from a college baseball program does not mean they'll offer a scholarship - nobody has yet - but he's flattered by the attention he's already received as he enters his junior year in high school.

"It feels good that they're interested in me," he said.

He said he does not have a favorite college at this point. "No, not really. I'm just trying to sort this all out," he said. "I would like to maybe commit before my senior year."

Puk is a lanky first baseman and pitcher with a sweet swing. He said he's received attention as a pitcher and hitter.

"I think most of it is my pitching, but some other colleges like my hitting," he said.

Puk said he received several offers from elite travel teams before agreeing to join the Canes. The Canes have one of the best programs in the country, regularly sending graduates to premier college baseball programs and producing draft picks.

Tyler Beede, a Canes graduate, was selected in the first round of the 2011 draft by Toronto, but he reportedly declined a $2.5 million offer from the Blue Jays and will enroll at Vanderbilt instead.

Two other Canes - Jake Cave (Yankees) and Dillon Maples (Cubs) - were drafted this year and signed pro contracts.

Andy McGuire, a Canes North shortstop who is entering his junior year in high school, has already committed to the University of Texas. He'll be one of Puk's teammates.

Puk said he plans to play for the Canes at a tournament in College Park, Md., that starts on Sept. 10, and also plans to play in several more events after that this fall.

He said he plans to play for the Cedar Rapids Washington baseball team in 2012, then rejoin the Canes after the Iowa high school season ends next July.

Puk said he'll miss playing football this season, but said he's excited about his new opportunities in baseball.

"It's my first love," he said.