Tebow says he will stay at Florida
With a career already burnished with individual and team accomplishments, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is returning for his senior season with one goal in mind.
Perfection.
“An undefeated season, that’s a goal,” Tebow said. “That’s something that’s never been done at the University of Florida.”
Tebow announced Sunday that he will forgo the NFL draft and stay with the Gators in 2009.
After much anticipation during an hour-plus ceremony at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to celebrate the national title Florida won Thursday night, Tebow finally said in front of 42,000 in attendance, “By the way, one more thing -- let’s do it again, I’m coming back.”
The news came after numerous chants of “one more year.”
The decision came after a long Saturday afternoon with Florida Coach Urban Meyer and talking with NFL types. Meyer is friends with New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick and Jacksonville Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio.
The pros, though tempting for Tebow, lost out to the chance of creating a dynasty at Florida. The 2009 Gators might actually improve from this season’s 13-1 national championship team that defeated Oklahoma, 24-14.
There has been no official word on whether wide receiver Percy Harvin or linebacker Brandon Spikes will return for their senior seasons, though numerous Gators sources say Spikes is expected to follow Tebow back to Gainesville. And Harvin said after the Sunday celebration that he is leaning toward coming back but is still evaluating.
Florida will be stacked even if it loses both players. With most of their offensive and defensive weapons back, the Tebow-led Gators could be the preseason No. 1 for 2009.
As a senior, Tebow can build on an already impressive college football career decorated with two national titles and a Heisman Trophy. Tebow would be working on a third Heisman Trophy campaign had he won this year’s award; he finished third behind Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Texas’ Colt McCoy despite gaining the most first-place votes.
--
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
