Tim Tebow signs minor league contract with New York Mets

NEW YORK -- Former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.

The Mets announced Thursday the former quarterback will take part in the Instructional League in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The 29-year-old aspiring outfielder went through drills at the University of Southern California last week in front of dozens of major league scouts and reporters.

Tebow's strength and 6.70-ish time in the 60-yard dash were impressive to the scouts. He also showed hitting ability with a series of line drives and long homers during batting practice.

Tebow hasn't played baseball regularly since his junior year at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Florida. But 12 years ago, Tebow was a .494-hitter and all-county outfielder.

He started training three months ago at a baseball school in Arizona run by former big-league catcher Chad Moeller.

Tebow won the 2007 Heisman Trophy at Florida and played on the 2006 and 2008 national championship teams with the Gators.

He played for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets in the NFL from 2010-2012. Tebow had preseason workouts with the New England Patriots in 2013 and the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015.