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Urban Meyer Makes Tim Tebow Admission

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Mar 4, 2025 7:49 PM ET

Urban Meyer revealed if he would call plays to get Heisman candidates better stats on a recent episode of "The Triple Option."

Meyer coached multiple Heisman candidates at his former programs. Former Utah quarterback Alex Smith, former Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow and former Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett were all up for the award with Meyer as their head coach.

Smith was fourth in 2004 and Barrett was fifth in Heisman voting for 2014.

Meyer's only Heisman winner as a coach was Tebow in 2007. Tebow had an incredible season that year, with 3,286 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Tebow also ran for 895 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns.

Meyer confirmed that the Heisman race did impact his play calling if he had a player up for the award.

Stats matter ️ pic.twitter.com/r2onznnTS1
— The Triple Option (@3xOptionShow) March 4, 2025

"Do they impact your play calling?" Meyer said. "When I had Tebow, and I had some of these other guys. Yeah, it did. My mind is saying, 'What does he need?' I would look at the stats on the scoreboard and say, 'How many yards did he throw for?' And make sure he's at least in the running for that thing."

Tebow also won the Maxwell Award that season and was an All-American. He won the Maxwell the following season as well after putting up 2,746 passing yards, 643 rushing yards, 42 total touchdowns, and four interceptions.

This last season's Heisman winner was Colorado corner and wide receiver Travis Hunter. Hunter had 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense, he had 36 total tackles, one tackle for loss and four interceptions.

Florida has had players get close to winning the Heisman, but the Gators have not had one win it since Tebow. The last Florida player to be named a finalist for the award was Kyle Trask in 2020.

Trask had 4,283 passing yards, 43 touchdowns and eight interceptions that season. He lost the Heisman to former Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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