Tim Tebow: Future UFL Star or NFL Back-Up?

It's a fair question. And quite honestly, based on Tim Tebow's decision to return for his senior season at Florida, one that actually warrants a careful response.

We will undoubtedly have to wait until next April's NFL Draft to find out for sure, but the question remains: Would it be better for an under-hyped college football star to take the short route to pro stardom and join the UFL, or take his chances in the NFL Draft and be a back-up?

Or worse—possibly not even make an NFL roster?

While Tebow is a household name (and not just in Florida) you may be surprised to learn that some draft experts pick him as a mid-rounder, at best, and some even say he won't even get drafted as a passer.

The trick with the NFL is if you don't make an impression immediately, you will likely go one of two routes. You're either a project, or you're a pre-determined failure.

See: Eric Crouch

See: Jared Zabransky

See: Any other option quarterback, or running back under 5'10".

Whether we like it or not, the NFL is famous for profiling players. Whether it's size, speed, race, or size of school, every player is held under a microscope, and even for guys with names like Tim Tebow, even the tiniest of flaws are sometimes blown into insurmountable mountains.

But before we get into the flaws that could see Tebow elect for a league like the UFL (despite Jacksonville's claims) let's look at the good.

1. Is he big/tall enough to see over defenders?

Um, yeah. Tebow is 6'3'' and 240 pounds, and at only 22 years old, already possesses the size, strength, and experience that most future NFL starters at the same position only wish they had.

Compare those (get ready, Al Davis) measurables to guys taken in the first round before him (Eli Manning, Mark Sanchez, etc.), and Tebow looks like a mammoth of a man towering over grade-schoolers.

2. Does he have the numbers to back up the hype?

Where do we start? Tebow has three Bowl Championships, including two of the last three BCS Titles. Not impressed?

In 2007, Tebow put up 3,286 yards passing and 32 touchdowns to only six interceptions, while also running 210 times for 895 yards and another 23 touchdowns.

Tebow followed up that impressive sophomore season with 2,747 yards passing, 30 touchdowns to only four interceptions, while rushing for 673 yards and 12 touchdowns off of 176 carries.

Again, in comparison with other NFL star quarterbacks (we'll go with Eli Manning), Tebow measures up quite well.

In four seasons at Ole Miss, Manning only topped 30 touchdown passes once, and while he beats Tebow in yardage, ony had a career completion percentage of 60 percent, while offering very little in the athleticism department.

Plain and simple: Tebow makes plays, can air it out, and keeps the turnovers to a minimum. Oh, and he can run the heck out of the football.

3. But is he accurate?

Considering he plays in the SEC, one of the toughest conferences in NCAA football, and averages just over 65 percent for a completion rate, it's safe to say the answer is an emphatic "yes".

4. So, then, what's the problem?

Just a few minor details, really.

The league (outside of Steve Young and Mark Brunell) has traditionally been anti-lefty quarterbacks, at least in the last 15 years.

Tebow is also looked down on due to a bit of a slow and unorthodox release.  Moreover, he plays in an offense that doesn't necessarily prepare him for the NFL.

And there is the "senior" rule. Just like with the NBA, the NFL unknowingly discriminates against senior players on the offensive side. Without much truth to it, teams generally view seniors as less athletic because they stay an extra year.

The truth is, another year in the SEC can only help Tebow, and should inevitably help his draft stock.

The problem is, it won't.

So, after four questions we see that Tebow is more than capable of being drafted and starting in the NFL, yet there still exists the possibility that NFL teams take a pass, and his pro career could remain "up in the air".

If that were to happen, or if Tebow's draft stock appears too low, could we see a future with Tebow manning the Florida Tuskers?

For all of these questions, only time will tell. But for all those Florida fans who would love to see Tebow stick around in the "Sunshine State", you can keep holding onto that dream.

As of the date this article was written, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers switched starting quarterbacks, the Miami Dolphins lost theirs, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are still interested.

As for the Tuskers' interest? Take a wild guess.