Tebow named AP player of the year

<p>Another pool of college football voters agree: Florida's Tim Tebow was the top college football player in the country this season.</p><p>Tebow's already expansive list of achievements grew slightly larger Tuesday when the sophomore quarterback was named The Associated Press player of the year. Tebow received 31 of the possible 58 votes from AP voters.</p><p>Tebow is the second Florida player to receive the honor. Quarterback Rex Grossman was the 2001 AP player of the year.</p><p>"That's cool,'' Tebow said. "Again, it's a huge honor. It's a cool thing. Any time you're honored for an individual award, it goes back to the team. Without those guys and their support, you can't accomplish something like that on your own.''</p><p>Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden, of Arkansas, was second with 19 votes. Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan was third with four votes. Oregon quarterback Dennis Dixon received three votes, while West Virginia quarterback Pat White received one.</p><p>Tebow has already taken home several awards this season including the Davey O'Brien, Maxwell and the Heisman Trophy. Tebow became the first player in major college football history to run and throw for at least 20 touchdowns in a season. He accounted for 51 touchdowns, including a Southeastern Conference record 22 rushing, and set a school record with 3,970 yards of total offense.</p><p>The AP player of the year award has been won by a quarterback every year since 2000 with the exception of 2005, when Southern Cal running back Reggie Bush took home the honor. Ohio State's Troy Smith was the 2006 winner.</p><p><i>Contact Brandon Zimmerman at 352-374-5051 or zimmerb@gvillesun.com.</i></p>