Tebow Brings in More Hardware

University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was named the recipient of the 2007-08 Roy F. Kramer Southeastern Conference Male Athlete of the Year, as voted on by the league's athletics directors, Commissioner Mike Slive announced on Wednesday.

Tim Tebow became the third Gator to receive the honor, joining Danny Wuerffel (1996 and 1997) and Ryan Lochte (2005). Tennessee's Candace Parker was named the Female Athlete of the Year.

"The SEC is very proud to honor Tim and Candace, as they are outstanding examples of what a student-athlete can accomplish, both on and off the field of competition,” said Commissioner Slive. “Their hard work and dedication to excellence have made them fine representatives of their universities and this conference. We congratulate them and wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

In 2007, Tebow enjoyed a record-breaking year in which he became the first sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Davey O'Brien Award, the Maxwell Trophy and the Sullivan Award. He also became the first player in college football history to pass and rush for 20-or-more touchdowns in a season. He set the SEC mark for rushing touchdowns with 23, which was also the highest total by any quarterback in NCAA history. The Jacksonville native also set a new standard in single-season touchdown accountability in the SEC, totaling 55 (32 passing, 23 rushing).

Tebow was a standout in the classroom as well, earning a spot on the ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-American first-team squad. He became just the fourth sophomore student-athlete in UF history to receive such a distinction. Tebow finished his first full season as a starter by leading the SEC in passing efficiency (172.46), total offense (321.6) and total scoring, averaging 10.6 points per game.

The other male nominees were: Michael Thompson, Alabama (golf); Darren McFadden, Arkansas (football); Cesar Cielo, Auburn (swimming); Gordon Beckham, Georgia (baseball); Rashaud Scott, Kentucky (track & field); Glenn Dorsey, LSU (football); Erling Tveit, Ole Miss (tennis); Jamil Hubbard, Mississippi State (track & field); Jason Richardson, South Carolina (track & field); Chris Lofton, Tennessee (basketball); Shan Foster, Vanderbilt (basketball).

Courtesy UF Sports Information