Tebow tabbed as favorite for Heisman next year

NEW YORK — Soon after Florida quarterback Tim Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy in the award's 73-year history Saturday night, he left the Nokia Theatre in Times Square and walked one block to the Hard Rock Cafe for a news conference.

Behind him were coach Urban Meyer and wife Shelley, pulled by the entourage undertow.

"I got whooshed behind Tim Tebow," Meyer said. "As it was pushing us, I said, 'This is kind of neat."'

Did anyone even notice Meyer? "No. I was behind Tim," he said.

Next year, every other outstanding college football player will enter the season behind Tim, who will be favored to become just the second player after Ohio State's Archie Griffin in 1975 and 1976 to win two Heisman trophies.

That feat seems entirely possible, considering Tebow has somehow managed to exceed the outsize expectations that greeted his arrival in Gainesville. During his freshman year, he played a key role in the Gators' national championship run. As a starter this year, Tebow became the first major-college player to run for 20 touchdowns and throw 20 TD passes in the same season.

Amid questions about his passing ability, he completed 217 of 317 passes for 3,132 yards and 29 touchdowns (and only six interceptions) and rushed for 838 yards and 22 scores, tying a single-season record for a quarterback.

Though some thought it would be a close race, given there was no clear front-runner until late in the season, Tebow easily distanced himself from Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, the first player since 1949 to finish second in consecutive seasons.

"It's awesome that you're known forever as a Heisman Trophy winner," Tebow said. He received 1,957 points and 462 first-place votes to McFadden's 1,703 points and 291 first-place votes. Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan was third and Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel fourth.

Minutes after accepting the trophy, Tebow was asked about the possibility of winning a second Heisman or even a third.

"I've already been asked that a bunch of times. I'm just going to get ready for Michigan this year," Tebow said, referring to the Gators' opponent in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1.