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Tebow deflects attention at Maxwell Award luncheon
By David Weinberg, PressofAtlanticCity.comMarch 08, 2008
When Tim Tebow sidled up next to Dan Connor at Friday's Maxwell Awards luncheon at Harrah's Atlantic City, it was impossible to tell which one was an NFL-bound linebacker.
For the record, it's Connor, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound bundle of muscle. Penn State's all-time leading tackler, Connor is expected to be a first-round pick in next month's draft.
Tebow, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida, is bigger. That explains how the 6-3, 235-pounder is able to run over most would-be tacklers when he's not launching passes.
"Man, he's huge," said Maxwell Club president and former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski.
Tebow was also incredibly productive for the Gators last season, which explained how he became the first sophomore ever to win the Maxwell Club's College Player of the Year award.
Under the direction of innovative Florida coach Urban Meyer, the 20-year-old became a true two-way offensive threat. He rushed for a Southeastern Conference-record 22 touchdowns and throw 29 TD passes to become the first Division I-A player to ever rush and pass for 20 or more touchdowns in the same season.
"Tim Tebow is a great player making plays," Meyer said in a statement. "He has done things that no one in college football has been able to do. And he is an extraordinary young man. Really, it's a privilege to coach someone like that."
True to his selfless nature, Tebow preferred to talk about the future of the team Friday rather than his own accomplishments.
Despite his exploits, the Gators failed to repeat as National Champions last season. They finished 9-3, then lost 41-35 to Michigan in the Capital One Bowl.
"Hopefully, I'll do a little better next year and help us get another national championship," Tebow said. "That's our goal and we're working hard to accomplish it. We're on a mission."
It is thought that Meyer will have to find a way to take some pressure off his star. Despite his size and strength, Tebow suffered a series of shoulder and hand injuries while rushing for 838 yards on 194 carries.
Tebow and the Gators may be better off if they take advantage of his arm. He threw for 3,132 yards last season and completed 68 percent of his passes.
"It all depends on what they ask me to do," Tebow said. "I'll probably concentrate more on passing, but having the ability to run can only help."
His NFL future is uncertain. Chicago's Rex Grossman was just the latest in a series of quarterbacks who enjoyed terrific success at Florida but failed to enjoy the same success at the next level.
Tebow could be the one to break that trend, but it will depend on his ability to transfer his skills from Florida's wide-open offense to an NFL system.
"It's going to be difficult for him in the NFL," Jaworski said. "That spread offense doesn't help guys get ready for the pros. Those quarterbacks never have to read defenses.
"But he can make all the throws that an NFL quarterback has to make. I remember seeing him in high school (at Nease High in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) and thinking, 'That kid is ready for the NFL right now.' He just has to learn how to run an NFL offense."
NOTES: New England coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady both skipped the luncheon and Friday's awards banquet, much to the disappointment of Maxwell Club officials.
High School Player of the Year Terrelle Pryor was not able to attend because his high school basketball team is in the Pennsylvania state playoffs. Pryor, a quarterback, is the nation's top recruit and has yet to announce his college decision. He is said to be considering Penn State.