Former Jets QB Hackenberg pursuing MLB career as pitcher

Former New York Jets quarterback Christian Hackenberg is on the comeback trail, but he's exchanging the gridiron for the diamond.

Hackenberg's pursuing a career as a big-league pitcher.

"It's as simple as I can put it, I just want to compete, man," Hackenberg said. "I kind of have had my trials and tribulations with the NFL and had success and had that roller-coaster ride and, you know, at the end of the day, I'm sitting here at 25 and, for me, like I said, I feel like I got a lot left in the tank."

A second-round pick by the Jets in 2016, Hackenberg never played in a regular-season game. He briefly served as the starting quarterback of the Memphis Express in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.

While Hackenberg didn't play college baseball, he did pitch in high school. In 16 appearances - including two starts - over three years, he posted a 7.36 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 40 walks in 25 2/3 innings.

Nevertheless, his agent, Noel LaMontagne, said Hackenberg is getting into game shape and is making progress with his fastball, which currently hits 90 mph.

"He isn't rushing anything and is being smart about not putting his health in a bad situation," LaMontagne said, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "He's young, has the work ethic, a ton of natural arm talent, plenty of athleticism, and the focus it takes to put himself in a position to have a chance."