One Tim Tebow leaves, another could be back in The Swamp one day.
Well, perhaps it’s a stretch calling Lake City’s Tim Jernigan “another Tim Tebow,” but that’s what coach Craig Howard said about his big 6-2, 280-pound tackle who is high up on most everybody’s recruiting list – if not No. 1.
Since he coached Tebow at Nease, Howard would know.
And there is every reason to believe the 2011 recruit will still be wearing the Orange and Blue, when he makes statements like he did to our Justin Wells: “When I was little, I was a Gator. I believe I was born to be a Gator, even if I didn’t want to be. My Mama brainwashed me! Ever since I was born I was doing this (starts doing the Gator chomp).”
Also note his nickname is “Timmy” if that’s any indication.
Sources tell me Jernigan is “enjoying the recruiting process,” but has narrowed his choices down to Florida, Alabama, Louisiana State and Florida State.
The other “Timmy” blew coaches away three years ago when he came to Friday Night Lights and, at age 15, was the best looking prospect on the field.
“He’s got great hands and feet,” said one evaluator of talent. “And he plays the game with an amazing speed for a big man. Quite a specimen. And his dad is an impressive man at 6-4, 270 – not somebody you’d want to mess with.”
Quick Jump Starts
1. There is currently a debate among Gator Country folks about what makes one a Gator fan and it is certainly not just having attended the University of Florida, although that does make one a Gator and not just a fan. But on the other hand, couldn’t you also just be a Gator and not a fan?
2. OK, what makes you a Gator fan is your decision to be one. Whether you bleed Orange and Blue depends on how deep your loyalties go.
3. If you thought you had a bad week, consider England’s goalie, Robert Green, who is now the Bill Buckner of the World Cup.
4. Raise your hand if you picked Phil Mickelson to be 4-over par and Tiger Woods 3-over after the first round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach – both without birdies.
5. Celtics vs. the Lakers at the Staples Center in a Game 7 is California gold 10 times out of 10 times. And the team from California kept the gold in LA again.
6. The Lakers did it without the best of their best as Kobe Bryant (13 points in the first three quarters, 5-for-20 shooting) was cold down the stretch when LA took the lead again.
7. For a few days, the Mountain West Conference began to look like the biggest beneficiary of the Big 12 collapse—until the Pac-10 swooped in and made Utah its 12th team. So if this was merely a swap of Utah for Boise State, it’s maybe a small drop-off because of the Utes’ overall athletic program.
8. Tom Izzo probably took a page from Billy Donovan’s mistake and turned down the Cavs job – although I hear there have been days when Billy wondered if he made a mistake by ditching the Magic job. Next year’s Gator team may make it worth his while.
9. If you wondered about Tim Tebow’s progress in Denver, he has now won over the veterans like Champ Bailey, who have been raving about the rookie quarterback’s work ethic. Surprise, surprise!
10. Of course it’s not apples to apples, but how good is the 47-15 record of Kevin O’Sullivan’s baseball team that he takes into Rosenblatt Stadium this weekend? Well, the 47 wins are more than anybody in the bigs and six better in the win column than the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees, who lead all of baseball.
Losing The Bronze
It’s quite an impressive honor to have a statue of your likeness as the three Florida Heisman Trophy winners will have on the University of Florida campus, thanks to the approval this week of the UAA. Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow will be cast in bronze. But think about those mere 62 votes that not only cost Rex Grossman the 2001 Heisman as a sophomore, but now a statue as well!
The fact that Spurrier and Wuerffel’s statues will be of them passing and Tebow’s running makes me wonder if that lends more credence to his legacy as a runner or the fact that so many have question his ability to pass well – which is funny in view of the fact that he’s the most accurate passer in SEC history.
Thanks, Aggies
How big is the SEC? Well, some of the big money folks for Texas A&M are threatening to pull their support because the Aggies stayed in the Big 12. But in reality, the greater good was that A&M’s rebellious spirit and willingness to bolt saved the league, as well as a significant chunk of college football. Roots to Bear Bryant still run deep and those folks in College Station know where the best football in America is played. And they don’t feel they need to live in the shadow of Bevo. Well done, 12th Man.
And good morning …
… and congrats to Phil Jackson, who now has coached more basketball champions than anybody (11). Even one more than the late, great John Wooden.