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With Leak's departure, though, the job is all Tebow's. And for the first time, UF fans are likely to see Meyer's
scheme in its purest form.

''I expect us to be a little bit more option, more quarterback run,'' Meyer said, offering a comparison to Alex
Smith from his Utah days.

With Smith as centerpiece, the Utes went 12-0 in 2004 and became the first team from outside the BCS's
inner circle of conferences to land in one of the showcase bowls.

It has been difficult to keep Tebow's competitive fire down.

Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen said the freshman has been constantly in his ear on the headset, offering
to run the ball yet one more time.

One concern, though, will be Tebow's durability. The Gators had only walk-ons behind Tebow in 2006, and
Meyer acknowledged his play-calling might depend in part on who emerges as his backup.

A big recruiting score came two weeks ago when Ocala's John Brantley IV, the Gatorade National Player of
the Year who broke Tebow's state record for TD passes, switched his commitment from Texas to UF.

The Gators also have Bryan Waggener, a junior-college transfer from California who enrolled this week.

''You cannot jeopardize running [Tebow] as much as he likes to run if you don't have a quality backup,''
Meyer said.

Several other freshmen played prominent roles in UF's title run and figure to carry more expectations.

Harvin was MVP of the SEC title game, and Wondy Pierre-Louis made the momentum-turning fumble
recovery as UF beat Arkansas. Brandon James was the Gators' primary return weapon, handling 49 of 70
kickoffs and punts.

''Our young guys [have grown] up,'' Meyer said. ``There are a lot of young players on that field playing.''

Gator Football - 1/11/07

Meyer makes it clear: It's Tebow's team now

Several freshmen helped lead UF to the national title, but the most
intrigue for 2007 surrounds Tim Tebow.

The national championship hadn't been in Florida's possession
much more than 10 hours when Urban Meyer threw down the
challenge.

''It is Tim Tebow's team as of right now,'' the UF coach said
Tuesday, flanked by three more trophies that came as the spoils of
the Gators' 41-14 romp over Ohio State.

And if there's one thing that could make Gator Nation even more
giddy than taking home the BCS championship, it's the notion
they'll be defending the crown with the golden-child quarterback at
the controls full-time.

In fact, after the contributions by Tebow, Percy Harvin and perhaps
a dozen other freshmen in this year's title run, Meyer made it clear
they'll be the class he leans on heavily in 2007.

''A lot of these young players will have to pick up the slack,'' Meyer
said.

The most intrigue, naturally, will surround Tebow.

Heralded as the can't-miss kid from the day he arrived in
Gainesville, Tebow's 6-3 build and running skills stamp him as a
prototype fit for Meyer's spread option.

Meyer downplayed the possible controversy, though, showing a
deft hand at using his hard-nosed freshman as a short-yardage
changeup for starter Chris Leak.

Tebow wound up as the Gators' second-leading rusher, plowing
forward from shotgun formation for 489 yards, including 39 in
Monday night's win.

He ran nearly three times more often, in fact, than called to throw
(33).