Former Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer and quarterback Tim Tebow are one of the most iconic duos in the history of college football. They won two national championships together as Tebow also won a Heisman Trophy.
But it all could have turned out much, much differently. While it’s hard to envision Tebow wearing any other university’s uniform, Meyer recently revealed a time during Tebow’s recruitment that he thought the five-star prospect might be headed to the rival Alabama Crimson Tide.
“[Co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach] Greg Mattison and I are on the plane,” Meyer said on The Buddy Martin Show. “I remember, already in my mind convinced myself if we lost Tim. And there was a junior college quarterback, I was already set with Doc Holliday, we were set to go see this player because in my mind, we lost Tim to Alabama. I’m getting on the plane with Greg Mattison… I looked at him and said ‘We’re going to be okay. I have a plan in case Tim goes to Alabama.’
“I started explaining this plan, he puts his hand up, and said ‘Coach, if we lose Tim Tebow to Alabama, that will set the program back 10 years.’ I got so [mad] because I knew he was right.”
Tebow, of course, committed to Florida. Alabama, for its part, landed the commitment of Greg McElroy, who would also go on to win a national championship with the Crimson Tide.
