Ranking the Top-5 Florida Gator Quarterbacks of All-Time
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; EPSN analyst Tim Tebow prior to the 2015 Sugar Bowl game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Mississippi Rebels at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1 Tim Tebow (2006-2009)
Is anyone really surprised?
Tim Tebow was instrumental in the Gators 2006 National Championship run as he played in every game as a true freshman. In the 2007 BCS National Championship, he ran and threw for one touchdown a piece.
Once Chris Leak graduated, it was Tebow’s turn to lead the team and he did not disappoint as he posted a career record of 35-6 as Florida’s starting QB. He made history his sophomore year as he became the first sophomore ever in college football history to win the Heisman. He is the third and final Gator player to ever win the award.
He finished his UF career with 9,285 passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns and a 66.4 completion percentage. Passing was just one phase of his offensive game, though.
Tebow also rushed for 2,947 yards and 57 touchdowns in his career, an absurd number for a quarterback.
After helping Chris Leak and the Gators win the 2007 BCS National Championship, it was all on Tebow going into 2009 title game against the #2 Oklahoma Sooners. Tebow completed 18 of 30 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 110 yards.
Of course, I can’t forget the epic halftime speech he gave that, no lie, did more than enough to motivate the Gators to bring another football championship to Gainesville.
Aug 29, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow (5) throws a pass during warm ups prior to a preseason game against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
During Tebow’s senior year, the Gators came within one win of playing for a third National Championship, but fell just short with a 32-13 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2009 SEC Championship. The Gators had to settle with the 2010 Sugar Bowl against No. 4 Cincinnati where UF smoked Cincy 51-24.
Tebow finished the game with 31 0f 35 passing for 482 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground he ran 14 times for one touchdown and 51 yards.
After graduating from Florida in 2009, Tim Tebow went 25th overall in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft to the Denver Broncos. His NFL career was short-lived and magnified by ESPN the entire way because of his vocality on his Christian faith. Tebow’s defining moment in the NFL came when he connected with Demaryius Thomas on an 80-yard touchdown pass to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 AFC Wild Card Game in Denver.
Once Tebow was traded to the New York Jets, his career was essentially over as former head coach Rex Ryan never used him. He tried a comeback attempt with the New England Patriots, but they cut him during preseason.
Regardless of what happens with the NFL, Tim Tebow is, in my opinion, the greatest Florida Gator quarterback of all-time.
*All stats accredited to Gatorzone.com & College Football @ Sports-Reference.com