Former Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg pursuing comeback as professional baseball pitcher

After a failed career in the NFL, former Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg is trying his hand — or well his arm — as a baseball pitcher.

The former Happy Valley hero is pursuing a professional baseball career, according to a report form NBC10 in Philadelphia. 

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

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The New York Jets selected Hackenberg in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. And after two seasons with the Jets, the former Penn State quarterback's time in the Big Apple came to an end when he was traded to the Oakland Raiders earlier in May 2018. That contract soon was negated less than a month later. 

He lasted less than three weeks before being released from the team and then spent three weeks on the Philadelphia Eagles' preseason roster before landing on the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad for two months. He tried the now-defunct Alliance of American Football but didn't last long as the starting quarterback of the Memphis Express franchise.

Hackenberg throws right-handed and reportedly has a 90 mph fastball. He's being trained by former Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Kulik, who is now the head baseball coach at Rutgers University-Camden.

"I have too much respect for the game of baseball," Hackenberg said Saturday. "I know how hard it is to hit a baseball, but I have the arm talent."