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University of North Georgia (ºìÁ«ÉçÇø) baseball junior center fielder  has signed a deal as an undrafted free agent with the Boston Red Sox.

Opata signed with the Red Sox after the conclusion of the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft July 14. He joins one of the most storied franchises in MLB history after an outstanding junior season in Dahlonega.

"I'm really excited to start my pro career because it's always been my dream to play at the highest level," said the new major league signee. 

With the Nighthawks, Opata led the team with a .372 batting average, totaling 96 hits, 87 runs and a 1.024 on-base-plus-slugging mark in 58 games last season.

"Coming into North Georgia, I still had that dream, but I knew coming from a smaller school meant I was going to have to work extremely hard," Opata said. "As the years went on, I gained more confidence and knew that my dreams were closer to becoming a reality."

The superstar center fielder was named an All-American by both the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). His two All-America nods added to his collection of individual accomplishments in 2025, including Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year and first-team all-conference honors along with thrice being named first-team all-region by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, ABCA and D2CCA. 

"Coach Tom Cantrell was really the one who kept me going everyday, feeding me all the confidence in the world even when I was struggling," Opata said.

Opata finished the regular season ranked fifth nationally in runs and hits. Both marks rank as the third-most single-season totals in program history in their respective categories. He also ended the year ranked ninth in NCAA Division II in stolen bases with 41 swipes, which ranks as the second-most in a single season in program history. 

A hitting machine with a regular-season batting average of .380, Opata led the team with 31 multi-hit games this year. A menace for opposing pitchers, the Lawrenceville, Georgia, native also ranked second on the team in on-base percentage (.450) and slugging (.574).

Opata had 15 multi-RBI games this season, which also ranked second on the team. His 62 total RBIs ranked among the top 65 hitters nationally. The center fielder smacked a career-high 11 home runs in 2025, as well.

Opata became the 16th former Nighthawk to sign with a major league organization. He is the first player from the program to do so since 2017. 

"It will be a tough journey, but I'm prepared for everything pro ball has to throw at me," Opata said. "I know my faith and my talent will get me far, so I'm blessed for the opportunity and will make the most out of it."