Jacksonville Jaguars

Darren Waller says if Tim Tebow wants his advice on the tight end position ... he'd gladly give it -- telling TMZ Sports he's down to be a mentor of sorts for the new Jaguar!

"If he thinks he can learn from me," Waller said of Tebow, "then I'd love to help him and help make his transition smoother."

The Las Vegas Raiders superstar definitely knows a thing or two about what Tebow is going through ... you'll recall, Darren actually started his NFL career as a wide receiver before making the switch to TE.

And, while even Waller admits that's a far easier task than changing from QB to TE, he says he can still relate to Tim and help him out.

"I tried to find any information I could from watching guys play or asking people when I moved," Waller says. "So, I'd love to continue to pass that on and help him be a better player."

Even if Tim doesn't reach out ... Waller tells us he's pretty confident the 33-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner can succeed -- even despite his long football layoff.

"Football is in his blood," Waller says. "So, I feel like he'll find a way. He'll find a way. He's physical, he's athletic. So, I wish him nothing but the best going forward."

As for Tebow's first few months in the role ... Jacksonville head coach Urban Meyer recently said Tim's done a "decent job" adjusting so far.

Colts star tight end Mo Alie-Cox says the blueprint for Tim Tebow's success at his new position is simple ... telling TMZ Sports all the new Jaguar has to do is just be open to learning.

"The tight end position, you have to learn how to block," Alie-Cox said.

"You have to catch passes. The protection -- the little things like that. So, it's a lot that goes into it. It's a lot of mental."

Alie-Cox, though, says he's pretty sure Tim's going to be just fine ... despite never playing the position and despite being out of the NFL for nearly a decade.

"He hasn't played the position but I mean, he's a hard worker," Alie-Cox said. "You can't put anything past Tim Tebow."

Alie-Cox added, "I think he's got it."

Reports out of Jaguars practices so far seem to indicate Tim's doing well in the transition ... but when we asked Alie-Cox if there was any shot Tebow ends the season with more catches than him, Mo said no way.

Tim Tebow's got plenty of doubters these days ... but Trevor Lawrence ain't one of them -- the new Jaguars superstar QB just raved over TT, saying the dude looks "great!"

Lawrence was asked this week about the 33-year-old who's trying to earn a spot on Jacksonville's roster after nearly a decade away from the game, and Trevor admitted he's impressed with what he's seen from Tebow so far.

"He looks good -- he looks great," Lawrence told the AP Pro Football Podcast.

"You can tell, he's just a guy that you want to be around. Character is awesome. Just had a few conversations with him and I can already tell. And, then just a hard worker. No one is going to work harder than him."

Lawrence continued, "Those are the kind of guys you want in your locker room and that you want to be around every day. And then I'm excited to see what he can do on the field as well. We got in a few days and he looks great. He's in awesome shape."

Jacksonville just inked Tim to a 1-year contract earlier this month ... and, with the former Heisman Trophy winner not having played a meaningful down since the 2012 season, many are skeptical this will all work out.

In fact, Charles Barkley said earlier this week he thinks it'll be "impossible" for Tim to transition from quarterback to tight end after so many years away from the game.

Lawrence, though, is clearly a believer ... adding on the podcast, "I was excited to meet him."

"When it was official, I saw him in the locker room and had a few good conversations and I really like him."

Tim Tebow's gonna need a miracle to make it in his NFL comeback ... so says Charles Barkley, who thinks it'll be "impossible" for the former quarterback to switch to tight end.

Chuck gave his honest opinion about the 33-year-old signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars with "Waddle and Silvy" on ESPN Chicago this week ... saying he likes Tebow as a person, but has serious doubts about his chances at making a real impact on the field.

"I think it's going to be very difficult for him to just pick up football, another position," Barkley said.

"Tim's such a good dude, but you know, a lot of people don't like Tim because his religion. He wears it on his sleeve. I don't care about that. I like the kid, but I don't think he can just come pick up another position."

Of course, Barkley has been outspoken about his hatred for the media frenzy that always surrounds the former Heisman winner -- he once admitted to being "Tebowed out" -- but regardless, the Hall of Famer thinks this is just too big of a challenge for Tebow.

"I think he'll just be disrespectful to jocks saying, 'Oh I haven't played football, but I can come and be a pro at it.' I just think that's impossible, personally," he said.

"Michael Jordan tried, he tried to play baseball. You can't just go play a pro sport."

IT'S TEBOW TIME IN JACKSONVILLE!!!

Tim Tebow has formally signed his 1-year contract with the Jaguars to begin his journey as an NFL tight end -- and is expected to work out with the team STARTING TODAY!!

33-year-old Tebow -- who hasn't worked out with an NFL team since a brief stint with Eagles in 2015 -- says he's ready to compete for a roster spot.

"I want to thank the Jaguars for the opportunity to compete and earn the chance to be part of this team," Tebow said Thursday morning.

"I know it will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I embrace."

He added, "I am dedicated to taking the direction of our coaching staff and learning from my teammates. I appreciate everyone's support as I embark on this new journey."

Tebow will rock #85 on his jersey for Thursday's practice -- though NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says the number could change if he makes the roster.

Tebow is facing a steep uphill battle to make the roster considering he was drafted as QB back in 2010 ... and spent the past 5 years playing minor league baseball for the NY Mets organization.

Will he be able to make an impact? NFL tight end Marcedes Lewis told us he thinks Tebow has a legitimate shot.

Urban Meyer says Tim Tebow looked SO good during his recent tryout with the Jaguars, his staff told him the former Heisman Trophy winner "looks like he's 18 years old!!"

The new Jacksonville headman revealed the inside info to Cris Collinsworth this week ... saying Tim absolutely blew the doors off of his recent workouts with Meyer's assistants.

"He was in the best shape of his life and asked to see if he could work out with a couple of our coaches," Meyer said of Tebow.

"I wasn't even there. And they came back to me and said, 'Wow, this guy's in incredible shape.'"

Meyer says his staff actually worked out Tebow multiple times in recent weeks ... and afterward, each time, they could not stop complimenting the ex-quarterback.

"They come in and they said, 'Wow. You know, this guy's ball skills,'" Meyer said. "'He's a great athlete. He looks like he's 18 years old, not whatever he is, 33.'"

Urban says the team has still NOT yet made a decision on whether they'll sign him to a deal ... though reading the tea leaves here sure makes it seem like Tim's reported 1-year contract will be official sooner rather than later.

"I said, 'Guys, you don't understand,'" Urban said. "'Now this guy is -- he's the most competitive maniac you're ever going to talk to. And let's give it a shot.'"

Did you know ... senator Cory Booker played tight end for Stanford back in the day?

It's true ... which is why we had to ask the 52-year-old politician about Tim Tebow's NFL comeback at his old position.

Booker told us he's surprised Tebow is getting a shot with the Jacksonville Jaguars considering the size of tight ends in the NFL these days (Tim is only 6'3" and 245 pounds, which is small for a TE).

But ultimately, he's happy for Tim and wishes him the best.

There are a lot of people on social media who think it's unfair Tebow is getting a second shot in the league while Colin Kaepernick still can't get a legitimate workout for an NFL team.

"I don’t need to cast a shadow on Tim Tebow in order to point out the injustice of Colin Kaepernick," Booker told us ... "It's wrong. He was blackballed and I don’t need to push someone else down in order to point that out."

Booker says he knows Colin got an "awful deal" -- and praised him as an "extraordinary athlete who had his career sabotaged by people that were against him doing what some of the greatest athletes of all times from Arthur Ashe to Muhammad all have done -- which is speak out against injustice."

Colin has repeatedly said he wants to play -- and has proved multiple times he's staying in shape and working out in the hopes of getting a call from an interested team.

Forget baseball, IT'S TEBOW TIME IN THE NFL AGAIN ... almost!!!

The Jacksonville Jaguars are planning to sign Tim Tebow to a 1-year contract, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

But, Tebow won't be joining the squad as a QB -- he's a tight end now!

Rap says the deal is expected to be completed in "the next week or so" ... giving the 33-year-old a chance to compete for a roster spot.

Tebow was drafted as a QB by the Denver Broncos in the 1st-round of the 2010 NFL Draft ... and ultimately led the team to a playoff win during the 2011 season!

But, he never really panned out at QB -- bouncing around a few teams including the NY Jets, New England Patriots and finally had a short stint with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 ... the last time he was in the league.

After that, Tebow went all-in on a baseball career and spent years with the NY Mets organization playing for their minor league teams.

He retired from baseball back in February after it became clear he wasn't gonna make the big leagues and decided to focus on learning the tight end position.

Tebow had a workout with the Jaguars sometime over the past month ... and it seems he did enough to impress the Jags coaches, who will see if he can be an asset.

Don't scoff ... NFL tight end Marcedes Lewis told us he thinks Tebow has a real shot at success at the position because he's smart, athletic and knows the game as well as anyone.

Tim Tebow's NFL comeback CAN work out well for the former QB ... so says Marcedes Lewis, who tells TMZ Sports he's confident Tim can revive his football career as a TE successfully.

"He gets it," Marcedes said of the former Heisman Trophy winner in L.A. this week. "With the right coach, in the right system, he's athletic, and, if he's willing, he'll be able to get it done."

Tim made the decision to drop baseball for football recently ... telling the Jacksonville Jaguars he's now willing to switch from signal-caller to tight end.

And, the Jags are apparently interested, 'cause multiple reports say after he got a workout in with Jacksonville's TE coach ... the team is now considering signing him to a contract.

Lewis says he doesn't necessarily see Tim being able to play the traditional TE role ... but he believes there's still a spot for Tebow in the NFL regardless.

"I mean, it's definitely a tough position," said Marcedes, who's been playing tight end in the league since 2006.

"I'm pretty sure if he does come back it would probably be in an F tight end role, kind of an adjuster where he's able to run routes and stuff like that. I don't see him inline blocking, so he may be able to pick it up."

As for Marcedes' advice on Tebow's transition to tight end ... Lewis tells us the guy just has to know what everybody is doing on every play at all times.

The pick is in ... and the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially taken Clemson superstar QB Trevor Lawrence first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft!!

The selection should surprise literally no one -- the 21-year-old has been at the top of the draft boards ever since he declared for the draft in January.

Lawrence -- who decided to spend his big moment with his fam in South Carolina -- was visibly pleased to hear his name called Thursday night ... hugging his new wife, Marissa Mowry as Roger Goodell announced the pick.

Lawrence was as good as it gets for the Tigers -- winning a national title as a true freshman in 2018.

He also led Clemson to the championship game in 2020, but fell to Joe Burrow and the LSU Tigers ... marking his first collegiate loss. In fact, dating back to his high school football days, Lawrence has yet to lose a regular-season game.

Lawrence finished his college career with an insane 34-2 record -- the most wins in school history.

Unfortunately, that winning streak is most likely coming to an end during his rookie season -- the Jags were pretty bad in 2020 with a 1-15 record.

But, now, JAX has college football coaching legend Urban Meyer on board ... and he's teaming up with the Heisman finalist to change the culture within the organization.

Now that the first domino has fallen, the next question is -- where the heck are the rest of the QBs in the draft going??

If Tim Tebow lands a job with the Jaguars, he can carpool to work with his bestie Urban Meyer ... 'cause the coach just bought a Jacksonville mansion for $2.15 million -- AND TEBOW LIVES 3 HOUSES AWAY!!!!

Of course, the two football stars developed a powerful bromance dating back to their days at the University of Florida ... when they teamed up to win national championships in 2006 and 2008.

TMZ Sports has confirmed ... Meyer is the new owner of the 4-bed, 4.5-bathroom pad inside the Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club in South Jacksonville ... which just so happens to be Tebow's neighborhood.

Coincidence?? We think not.

Tebow bought his home back in 2019 for just under $3 million, according to the JAX Daily Record ... and he must love the place if he's recommending the area to his pal.

As for Urban's house, it's pretty baller -- it's got a butler's kitchen, summer kitchen, game room, pool and spa ... and a freakin' elevator!!

The pad -- which was listed by Engel & Volkers Jacksonville -- also previously belonged to ex-Jags QB David Garrard from 2008-11. Small world!!

MLB out ... NFL back in?!

That's now the plan for Tim Tebow ... who's gunning to make a football comeback as a tight end after retiring from baseball!!!

Tebow made the decision recently ... according to NFL reporters Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter -- and has already gotten a tryout of sorts with the Jaguars.

Schefter says the 33-year-old worked out for Jacksonville's tight ends coach ... and a future signing could be on the horizon.

Of course, Tebow has huge ties to the Jags -- their new head man, Urban Meyer, coached Tebow at Florida for years and the two have remained VERY good pals ever since.

Tebow had been attempting to make it to the New York Mets' big league roster the past few years ... but retired from the diamond in February, saying, "at this time I feel called in other directions."

Ex-NFL linebacker Geno Hayes -- who's only 33 -- is in hospice care in Georgia stemming from liver issues ... and his friends and family are asking for prayers.

"He's fighting for his life," Geno's high school football coach Frankie Carroll told The Tallahassee Democrat.

No word on Geno's specific medical condition or his prognosis -- but clearly, the situation is dire.

He's currently being cared for at his parents' home in Valdosta, Georgia -- where close friends and family members have been visiting in the hopes he can make a recovery.

Hayes was a football star since his high school days -- when he was personally recruited by Florida State legend Bobby Bowden.

Geno lived up to his potential at FSU -- earning 1st Team All-ACC honors in 2007.

He went on to have a 7 year run in the NFL -- which started when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Bucs in the 6th round of the 2008 Draft.

Hayes went on to play with the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars before his pro career came to an end following the 2014 season.

In total, Hayes racked up 401 tackles, 10 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and 6 interceptions in his pro career.

Off the field, Hayes was known as a generous guy who was always looking for ways to help out in his of Greenville, Florida ... hosting youth football camps and toy drives.

Urban Meyer knows talent when he sees it -- and the Jacksonville Jaguars coach was so impressed by an 11-year-old girl who scored her 1st TD, he invited her to training camp!

Meet Keilani Contreras ... who made history Saturday when she caught a TD for the Arlington Seminoles, a youth tackle football team in Jacksonville.

Keilani's coaches told Action News Jax she's the first girl to ever score a TD in Arlington Football Association history!

After the game, the extremely charismatic Keilani was even MORE impressive on camera during her post-game interview with the local news!!!

"Sometimes boys might be like 'Oh you can't do this because you're a girl' ... well, look at me! I'm a football player!"

"You should always go for your dream," Keilani told Action News Jax ... "it doesn't matter if it's a boy thing or a girl thing."

The footage went viral and eventually made its way to Urban Meyer -- who reached out on social media to offer his congrats and invite her to Jaguars training camp.

"What a story! Congratulations on your first touchdown, Keilani," Meyer said.

"You're right, you should always go for your dreams! If fans are allowed at training camp this summer I want you and your teammates to come out and be our special guests."

Oh, and get this -- Keilani is also a straight-A student and a talented artist!!!

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver D.J. Chark is celebrating his #GirlDad status 3 months early ... by copping a one-of-a-kind diamond chain with his future daughter's name on it!!

The 24-year-old Pro Bowler and his wife, Chantelle, are expecting their first child, Mackenzie, in May ... and we're told Chark is so excited, he wanted to have a special piece ready in time for the big arrival!!

Ari The Jeweler in Manhattan tells TMZ Sports he came up with a custom pendant and diamond chain for the daddy-to-be ... and it's pretty damn adorable.

The iced-out piece features baby feet with hearts, a bow on top and Mackenzie's name engraved in the gold ring of the pendant.

There's also a touching message on the back of the piece ... which reads, "Mommy and Daddy Love You!" -- how sweet!!!

We're told the pendant features 15 carats of VS diamonds and 80 grams of gold ... and the accompanying Cuban chain has 150 grams of gold and 20 carats of diamonds -- altogether estimated to be worth $50,000.

No word on what DJ paid, but the dude's made $3.3 million so far in his young career ... so he can splurge a bit.

Chris Doyle's run as the Jacksonville Jaguars' director of sports performance is over before it ever really got started ... with the controversial coach resigning amid major backlash.

Jags head coach Urban Meyer made the move official late Friday night ... saying, "Chris Doyle came to us this evening to submit his resignation and we have accepted."

"Chris did not want to be a distraction to what we are building in Jacksonville."

So ... what was the distraction??

Doyle -- who served as Iowa's strength and conditioning coach from 1999-2020 -- was accused of making racial comments, bullying and other instances of misconduct towards players during his time with the Hawkeyes.

Doyle's time in Iowa City ended after multiple players came forward about his alleged antics last year ... resulting in a "separation agreement" of roughly $1.1 million in June.

The decision to hire a guy accused of that kind of misconduct was ill-received ... and the Fritz Pollard Alliance -- which works with the NFL on diversity -- released a scathing statement, calling the hire "unacceptable."

While Meyer initially claimed he and Jags ownership went through a serious vetting process before hiring Doyle, he is now admitting it wasn't a good look.

"We are responsible for all aspects of our program and, in retrospect, should have given greater consideration to how his appointment may have affected all involved."