Three Florida Gators from the 2006 and 2008 National Championship teams will be honored with induction into the UF Hall of Fame.
In a post on his personal Facebook page, Brandon James seemingly broke the news that he, Brandon Spikes and Tim Tebow were all being inducted. James posted a screenshot of the e-mail he received notifying him and he added, “Made the most out of my opportunities and got a chance to play at the highest level!! Now I get to enter the Hall @ UF with my brothers Brandon Spikes and Tim Tebow.”
Spikes posted a picture of himself during his playing days in Gainesville with the caption, “HOF.”
The “F Club” maintains the responsibility for Florida’s Athletic Hall of Fame and votes yearly on which athletes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The criteria to even be considered starts with a 10-year waiting period after the athlete plays their final game at Florida. The trio last played in 2009. Next, the player must have been named a First Team All-American or First Team All-SEC player during their career to be considered a Gator Great.
Tebow headlines the group that would be inducted in 2020. Tebow was inducted into the Ring of Honor in 2018 as the 2007 Heisman trophy winner. Tebow finished his career as not only one of the greatest players in UF history but college football history. He threw for 9,285 yards, 88 touchdowns while throwing just 16 interceptions. He rushed for 2,947 yards and 57 touchdowns, breaking Herschel Walker’s SEC record for rushing touchdowns. Tebow was the SEC Player of the year in 2008 and 2009. He won the Maxwell Award in 2007 and 2008. He was the AP Player of the year in 2007, a three-time All-SEC selection, a two-time First Team All-American and a first-round draft pick in 2010.
Spikes was the heart and soul of the defense during those years. Spikes appeared in 47 games with 39 starts at linebacker for the Gators. He finished his career with 307 tackles (178 solo), 31.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks. He was a three-time First Team All-SEC player and twice a consensus All-American.
James was a lighting rod for the Gators on special teams. He was a First Team All-American in 2007 and 2008 and First Team All-SEC in 2008, as well as the Special Teams Player of the Year in 2008. James was electric as a returner. He appeared in 50 games and owns four SEC and 11 Florida records for kickoff and punt returns. He amassed 2,718 kick return yards and one touchdown. He finished his career with 1,371 yards on 117 punt returns, both Florida records. He returned four punts for touchdowns throughout his career.
Florida has not officially announced the Hall of Fame Class for 2020 but two other players, Reggie Nelson (2018) and Percy Harvin (2019) have already been inducted.