TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Tebow Among Heisman Finalists

ADVERTISEMENT

By ANDY STAPLES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2007

ORLANDO - It isn't a surprise, but it's now official. University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Tebow is one of four players invited to New York for Saturday's Heisman announcement. He will join Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel and Arkansas tailback Darren McFadden.

Tebow, Daniel and McFadden were in the same room Wednesday evening at an interview session to preview tonight's Home Depot college football awards show. One of them even received an award Wednesday.

A reporter from the local CBS affiliate presented Tebow with his "Cliche of the Year Award." Tebow smiled and accepted the trophy before donning a Hawaiian shirt to take a photo for another media outlet.

While the finalists themselves didn't say much about the Heisman, some of the assembled All-Americans didn't mind talking about them. Some, such as LSU safety Craig Steltz, were diplomatic. Steltz, who played Tebow and McFadden, wouldn't name a favorite.

"They're two great players," Steltz said. "I met up with them a bunch of times in each game."

Michigan tailback Mike Hart wasn't afraid to answer the question. Hart, whose Wolverines will face Tebow's Gators in the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, didn't hesitate when asked to pick who he believed should win.

"Tebow, because of the year he had," Hart said. "He's only a sophomore, but that's the only thing that's against him. But you can't hold him back because he's a sophomore. With the year he had, there's no one else out there who really took it."

Reporter Andy Staples can be reached at (352) 262-3719 or astaples@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT