Last season, many fans didn't know what to expect from Florida sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow gained fame from his head-butting runs and key touchdowns in clutch situations for the 2006 Gators. The main question was: Could Tebow throw?
Well, if Tebow's 9,810 passing yards and 95 touchdowns at Nease High School (Jacksonville, FL) weren't convincing enough, his performance in 2007 erased all doubt. Tebow was unstoppable through the air, amassing 3,132 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 177.8, good enough for second in the NCAA.
Tebow, however, did not give up his running ways, leading the Gators with 838 rushing yards and scoring 23 touchdowns on the ground. Tebow set the college football world on fire, becoming the first player to pass and rush for 20 touchdowns in a single season.
Tebow's accomplishments earned him the 2007 Heisman Trophy, making him the first underclassman to be named a Heisman winner.
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Now, heading into 2008, many of the same fans who wondered if he could even throw the ball effectively in the SEC have a new question: Can Tebow win a second Heisman Trophy?
If Tebow were to collect an additional Heisman this season or in 2009, he would join former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin as the only two-time winners of the Heisman Trophy. After an incredible 2007 season, Tebow enters the 2008 college football season as the favorite to win college football's most prestigious individual award.
Although he is the favorite, the odds standing between Tebow and history are great. With Florida's newfound depth at running back with Chris Rainey and USC transfer Emmanuel Moody, it's safe to assume that Tebow will not be as productive on the ground this season.
However, with less pressure on Tebow to make plays on his feet, he should become even more productive in the passing game. Tebow possesses a very strong arm and good accuracy as demonstrated by his high passer rating and six interceptions in 2007.
Plus, Tebow has a massive array of playmakers to distribute the ball to, including wide receivers Percy Harvin, Carl Moore, and Riley Cooper, as well as Rainey and Moody.
In addition, Florida coach Urban Meyer and offensive coordinator Dan Mullen saw the wear and tear Tebow underwent in 2007. Talks in Gainesville have surfaced that Florida may incorporate a two-quarterback system with backup quarterback Cameron Newton, similar to the Chris Leak-Tebow tandem used by the 2006 BCS Champions.
In order to repeat as the Heisman winner, Tebow will have to put up monstrous numbers through the air to compensate for a decrease in rushing yards and touchdowns. With the high availability of playmakers at Florida and his lessened workload, it is very possible that Tebow might just do it.
The odds are great, but you can't count him out until the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner is announced in New York this December.
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2 months ago
Unless Graham Harrell or Beannie Wells get him this year, he could take three in a row.
2 months ago
Florida's offense must allow Tebow to lighten his load in running the ball. If not, he is going to get injured just like he did in the 2nd half of last season. He bruised his shoulder and broke his right (non-throwing) hand in 2007. Luckily for him, he is a big guy and can take a pounding. But that bruised shoulder can turn into a separated shoulder, and a broken right hand could become his left hand in 2008. A healthy Tebow, though, has a good chance of winning the Heisman again.
2 months ago
Nice job, Joseph. Well written piece.
Many people think Tebow won't be able to win the Heisman again because he will have more offensive pieces around him. But I think people are missing something, having more offensive weapons around Tebow should help him dramatically. It should make him even more efficient. Imagine that.
If Tebow has a solid runner playing next to him it will open things up even more for him to run the ball. Look at Dennis Dixon, he had a stellar runner on his team which opened up Dixon's running game. If you notice, all of Dixon's big runs came off of fakes to his primary running back. Many people don't realize it, but tebow and Dixon ran the 40 yard dash in the same time, yet Dixon would bust out much bigger runs because of the Jonathan Stewart factor.
If Emanuelle Moody or someone else can take that pressure off Tebow, instead of Tebow having to run 10 times for 50 yards and taking ten hits. He will only have to run twice for that same 50 yards and take 2 hits and much less punishing hits because like Dixon, Tebow will be able to run outside rather than inside where the giants roam, like he did last season.. Last season Tebow himself was the primary runner and the Gators were using fakes off of Tebow to allow Percy Harvin to run outside like Dixon. So Percy was in the role of Dixon and Tebow was in the role of the physical running back to open the game up for everyone else.
Tebow could have even better numbers.. and get them much more efficiently and without the physical damage.
He will also develop his passing game and learn how to run even better just from the experience he has under his belt. And most importantly. Tebow can save his best for key moments rather than being relied on the whole game just to keep pace with the other team.
from about 1 month ago
You bring up very valid points and I agree with you. A solid runenr opens up Tebow's ability to pass and run even more. Thanks for the feedback and keep reading!
2 months ago
i really like this article, considering how much i hate tim tebow. that's just the FSU fan in me though. Tebow is a freak, i think there will be a lot of new faces in the Heisman race this year including Moreno from Georgia, Harral from Texas Tech and of course the regulars Chase Daniel from Missouri, Chris Wells from Ohio State, but i honestly think this thing is Tebow's to lose. He put up amazing numbers last season, and i can't see anything other than injury that could stop his production. great article man.
from about 1 month ago
The Heisman field will be crowded this year and it will be a lot of fun to watch! It will most likely come down to who has the numbers and how well their teams are doing. I've narrowed it down to Moreno, Tebow, Daniel, Wells, and Harvin for my Top 5. Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad you liked the article.
about 1 month ago
Excellent article. I bleed Georgia Bulldog red and black, but I love Tim Tebo. Yes, he is an incredible athlete who deserved the Heisman after an amazing season, but there is so much more to him than football. His summer was even more amazing than his football season was. He shared his faith with people from all walks of life. From youth groups to prisons - he is impacting people beyond the stadium walls. Tim Tebow is a class act.
Daniel is right, the Heisman field will be crowded this year. Along with Tebo, the DAWGS Knowshon Moreno is one of the early favorites. We all know that Tebo has the talent to repeat, but so much can happen in the course of a football season - especially the battle fields of the SEC. I am really looking forward to what promises to be a great season. Thanks again for a great article on such a great guy!
from about 1 month ago
You're right. Tebow is a class act, both on and off the field. I'm glad you enjoyed my article, it's nice to hear feedback. Thanks for the comment. Keep reading!
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