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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 11:41 p.m., Sunday, January 11, 2009

CFB: Tim Tebow has perfection in mind for senior season at Florida

By Jeremy Fowler
The Orlando Sentinel

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A second Heisman Trophy would be nice. A dozen or so more wins wouldn't hurt.

But with an illustrious career already burnished with individual 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 in dramatic fashion that he will forgo the NFL draft and stay with the Gators in 2009, strengthening his chances to become the best college football player of all time.

After much anticipation during an hour-plus-long ceremony at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to celebrate the 2008 national title, 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" and the Superman theme blaring from the speakers.

The decision came after a long Saturday afternoon with Florida Coach Urban Meyer and talking with NFL types. Meyer is good 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 year's memorable 13-1 national championship team that defeated Oklahoma, 24-14.

No official word yet 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 told Sun Sports 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. After returning most of the offensive and defensive weapons, the Tebow-led Gators could be the preseason No. 1 for 2009 to balloon expectations once again.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez, one of Tebow's favorite targets, said the Gators should have the best reputation when the season starts.

"It all revolves around him," said Hernandez of Tebow. "With him back, we already have our leader. We have our whole defense back, basically our whole offense. I think we should be (No. 1)."

As a senior, Tebow can build on an already-sterling college football career decorated with two national championships and a Heisman Trophy. Tebow would be working on a third Heisman Trophy campaign had he won this year's ceremony in which he finished third behind Oklahoma's Sam Bradford and Texas' Colt McCoy, despite gaining the most first-place votes.

Tebow, who has 110 career passing and rushing touchdowns, will become the first quarterback since USC's Matt Leinart in 2005 to have a legitimate shot at a third national title.

Meyer said he agrees that Tebow is one of the best college quarterbacks of all time.

The NFL projections varied during the evaluation process, Tebow said, but by Saturday afternoon, he was already tired of the talking. He simply wanted to return to Gainesville and get ready for 2009, he said.

"I just felt loyal to this place," Tebow said. "I feel like a role model. A lot of times today, people start things and don't finish them. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted to be loyal to the university and finish what I started and play another year."

In the next year, Tebow will face plenty of changes and challenges in Gainesville. Former offensive coordinator Dan Mullen is now gone, off to Mississippi State and replaced by former offensive line coach Steve Addazio, who also might not be around next season.

Meyer said Sunday that Addazio might be a candidate for the Boston College opening. Reports out of Boston have Addazio as a top external candidate for a job that could go to someone internally. Addazio could not be reached at his home Sunday.

The recent hiring of quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler, formerly with the Detroit Lions who has worked with Tom Brady and Chad Henne from his days at Michigan, factored into Tebow's decision because of the NFL traits he can learn.

But don't expect Tebow to change his style of play to impress a couple of scouts at the next level. His goals are clear.

"Even coming into this year, it's not my focus to get ready for the NFL," Tebow said. "That's a goal. But my focus is to come back and win an SEC championship and another natty and make it three of four."