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Thursday, May 16, 2024

Tebow's Heisman hype grows as announcement draws near

Tim Tebow can't even walk to class without seeing the reminders.

When he strolls along Stadium Road, rides his scooter or even tries to eat a meal at Gator Corner, students strike the Heisman pose when he walks by - something Tebow still doesn't do.

It's just five days until a new Heisman Trophy winner will be announced, and UF's sophomore sensation is as much in the mix as anyone.

Even Coach Urban Meyer, who gave Tebow limited Heisman hype as the season progressed, finally hyped his quarterback after Monday's practice.

"Tim should win it," Meyer said. "The numbers, just the touchdowns, I do believe he deserves to win that Heisman. I feel strongly, after watching the game and looking at statistically what he's done in the SEC, that he should win the Heisman."

Scoring 51 touchdowns during the season can make a coach say that.

Tebow's chances improved after Missouri and Chase Daniel were thrashed 38-17 by Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. Had Daniel led the then-No.1 Tigers to victory, he would have made a strong case in his favor.

Instead, Daniel finished with just 219 passing yards, one interception and one rushing touchdown, and his squad became just another top-ranked casualty in a crazy college football season.

Tebow, on the other hand, completed his regular season with 351 total yards and five touchdowns in a 45-12 rout of Florida State.

UF wide receiver Andre Caldwell said the contrast between the players' latest performances cements Tebow's frontrunner status.

"(Tebow) should win the Heisman," Caldwell said. "He doesn't do anything but get better when the lights are on him."

But still not everybody is sold.

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During ESPN's Bowl Selection Special on Sunday night, Hawaii coach June Jones called Tebow a "system quarterback" and said he is not a natural passer.

While Hawaii's signal caller Colt Brennan will probably be a Heisman finalist with his 38 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, it's unlikely he wins the award.

That's not surprising considering the disparity in talent between the Southeastern Conference defenses that Tebow has faced and the Western Athletic Conference foes that Brennan has carved up with ease.

It's safe to say Tebow heard Jones' comments.

When asked about Hawaii's run-and-shoot offense, Tebow gave a half smirk.

"In high school, my numbers weren't too bad," Tebow joked. "I don't know. It depends on your system. [Brennan is] a good quarterback who runs a good system."

For his part, Tebow is gearing up for the limelight in New York this Saturday.

So far this season, Tebow has worn the same suit during every postgame press conference. On Monday, Tebow said he had been fitted for a new suit, but he didn't know much more than that.

"He's stuck in his whole '80s way," said Caldwell, who is known for his extensive shoe collection and fashion sense. "He'll have the same suit probably."

When groups of teammates get together at various venues Saturday to see if their quarterback will win it, they'll all be hoping Tebow comes home with the trophy.

"It's not everyday that you get another Heisman," defensive end Duke Lemmens said. "I'm definitely not going to have any other plans that night. It's really hard to argue against what he's done.

"Heisman isn't about if you're a sophomore or a junior or a senior or even if you're a true freshman. It's about who the best player is in college football. If they hold [his age] against him, that's going to make me mad, personally."

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