Rivals.com college football senior writer Olin Buchanan has a Heisman vote and he's going with Tim Tebow, the sophomore quarterback who did everything for Florida this season.
"I do not know if he locked up the Heisman or not, but he has locked up my vote," Buchanan said.
According to early projections by independent Heisman Web sites, Tebow appears to be the frontrunner heading into Saturday's Heisman presentation. Arkansas junior running back Darren McFadden, Missouri junior quarterback Chase Daniel and Hawaii senior quarterback Colt Brennan have also been invited to New York.
Buchanan said Tebow has earned it. He would be the first sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy. The Maxwell and Davey O'Brien awards will be handed out in Orlando Thursday night and Tebow has a chance at winning those as well.
"He's valuable because he's such a good runner and passer," Buchanan said. "This year he meant as much to Florida as Vince Young did to Texas two years ago. The biggest difference: Young was faster and made more spectacular plays, but they're both very good runners and passers. The Longhorns had a better defense that year than Florida did this year, or they might have both played for national championships."
Tebow was the backup on Florida's national title team last season. He simply took over this year, breaking all kinds of records along the way. The former Ponte Vedra Nease star is the first player in Division I-A history to rush and pass for 20 touchdowns in a season. He's seventh in total offense and second in passing efficiency.
On top of those accomplishments, Tebow tied the NCAA Division I-A single-season rushing touchdown record by a quarterback with 22. He also set an SEC record with 51 total touchdowns (29 passing, 22 rushing). Tebow has rushed and thrown for a touchdown in 13 straight games, also an NCAA record. Florida averaged 43.7 points and 462 yards per game under Tebow, best in the conference in both categories. The list of achievements goes on.
"Tim should win it," coach Urban Meyer recently said. "I don't like to speak unless I have an opportunity to evaluate everything. I got to see other guys play and then I never really looked at our statistics. The money statistics are unbelievable this year. Fifty-five percent of the time we score points. I have never heard of that before...I do believe he deserves to win the Heisman."
Others disagree. Hawaii coach June Jones said Brennan, his quarterback, is not a system quarterback like Tebow and that he is not sure Tebow could run Hawaii's offense. Tim Brown, the former Notre Dame wide receiver who won the Heisman in 1987 and gets a vote, said Tebow is not on his list. His reasoning? If Brown is to vote for a quarterback, the team should be playing for the national championship. There are others hesitant to put Tebow No. 1 on their ballots.
Still, it would surprise many if Tebow did not win Saturday night in New York City. Despite some criticisms, he has mind-boggling statistics. He led the Gators, who lost nine defensive starters, to a 9-3 record and a New Year's Day bowl appearance against Michigan. He has simply been college football's best player and he deserves to win the game's most coveted individual award, Buchanan said.
"What I keep hearing is that Darren McFadden is the best player overall and he played so well against LSU and he's so versatile," Buchanan said. "Tebow detractors also point out that most of his touchdowns are on short runs. But nine of McFadden's 15 TD runs were from five yards or less. The award doesn't go to the fastest player."
Here is a look at statistics:
Tebow: Completed 217 of 317 passes (68.5 percent) for 3,132 yards with 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. Rushed for 838 yards and 22 touchdowns on 194 attempts. (12 games)
McFadden: Rushed for 1,725 yards and 15 touchdowns on 304 carries. Caught 21 passes for 164 yards and one score. Completed 6 of 11 passes for 123 yards and four TDs. (12 games)
Daniel: Completed 372 of 534 passes (69.7 percent) for 4,170 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Rushed for 284 yards and four scores on 104 carries. (13 games)
Brennan: Completed 337 of 472 passes (71.9 percent) for 4,174 yards with 38 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Rushed for 65 yards and eight touchdowns on 73 attempts. (11 games)