Almost a decade ago, University of Florida star quarterback Tim Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy in college football history. The well spoken young man captivated the hearts of many across the the nation, and after his 2007 National Championship victory, many deemed him the ‘Greatest College Football Quarterback of All Time.

However, on the morning of Feb. 28, 2017, Tebow found himself warming up his Heisman caliber arm at the New York Mets spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Tebow had been working with former major league outfielder Gary Sheffield and current Mets hitting coach, Kevin Long.

Despite Tebow’s 9-7 record as a starter, and his comeback playoff victory as a rookie in 2011, Tebow was cut from 4 NFL teams. He made the decision to leave football behind and attempt to play professional baseball, a sport he hadn’t touched since his senior year of high school.

In 2015, Tebow began the Arizona Fall Minor League season with the New York Mets, with an average of .194 and hitting a homerun on his very first at bat since  high school 2006.

With spring training now upon us, Tebow reported to the clubhouse for day one on February 28th. In a short batting practice session, Tebow hit 9 home runs, and according to scouts at spring training, his swing is “looking better than ever.”

Tebow again shocked the sporting world, making his 2017 debut hitting 8th against the Boston Red Sox Wednesday morning.

Throughout Tebow’s career, he has never had to look far for his doubters, and after talking with some students from Community High, we’ve found plenty of said doubters right here.

“Not a chance,” said Community High freshman, and sports fan Arlo Durgy. “If he didn’t have what it takes to throw a football at 22, he won’t have what it takes to throw baseball at almost 30.” Durgy feels that Tebow doesn’t have the athleticism to convert from football to baseball.

“He’s a great athlete of course, but after starting a career in football for years and switching up to baseball, his talent and comfortability will be behind the 8 ball. Progressing as an MLB player will be hard,” Matt Felicia said.

Felicia is a sports fan as well as a teacher at CHS and would like to see Tebow try to roll with the minor league. “Tebow is one of those athletes who can be a college phenom, but fall off in the league because the skill standard is higher.”

However, Felicia thinks Tebow could make millions being a sports analyst or coach, rather than make minor league money playing baseball. “I believe Tebow can make money in baseball, but the money would come from holding the clipboard instead of the bat or the mitt,” said Felicia.

With many opinions on Tebow’s future in baseball, only time will tell. Spring training will continue for the Mets organization until late March, and Tebow has until then to show off what baseball skill he may have to coaches there, and perhaps make a run at an MLB career.