The Associated Press recently announced its All-Time All-America teams amidst the organization’s 100th anniversary, bestowing one of the most prestigious honors in college football among a very select few.
It should come as no surprise that Florida Gators legend Tim Tebow made the cut, but even the Orange and Blue faithful might be mildly surprised by which roster he landed in. According to the AP’s latest lineup, the storied collegiate quarterback earned the First-Team spot under center, joining a star-studded group of historic greats.
“Florida’s Tim Tebow edged Texas’ Vince Young (2005) for all-time first-team quarterback. Tebow won the Heisman and made the AP All-America team as a sophomore in 2007, his first year as the starter,” AP writer Eric Olson offers.
“He led the Gators to their second national championship in three years in 2008 and narrowly missed a chance at another when the 2009 team started 13-0 but lost to Alabama in the SEC championship game. He remains the SEC career leader in rushing touchdowns and touchdowns responsible for.”
First team by conference
*Based on players’ school affiliations at the time they were in college
About the AP All-Time All-America team
“Of the 25 players on the first team, five won the Heisman Trophy and 21 are in the College Football Hall of Fame, two are nominated for induction in 2026 and two are not eligible because they are not yet 10 years removed from their college careers,” the article states.
“A panel of 12 AP sports writers who cover college football selected the all-time team. It won’t be, and shouldn’t be, considered definitive. There have been far more great players over the last century than spots available.
“For a player to qualify, he must have been an AP first-team All-American at least once. His professional career, if any, was not to be considered. Also, a member of the all-time team could only be listed on the side of the ball where he was named first-team All-America. All-purpose players could come from any position.
“Voters were cautioned against recency bias, but it is notable that only three of the first-team selections played before 1970. Of the 12 players who were three-time All-Americans, only four made the two all-time teams picked by AP.”
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida legend Tim Tebow included on AP’s 100th anniversary all-time All-America Team
Reporting by Adam Dubbin, Gators Wire / Gators Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
