Will they stay or Will they go? | Sports in Stilettos

When Florida and Oklahoma take the field in tomorrow's BCS Championship game, the focus will be on the first two sophomores to win the Heisman: the Gators' Tim Tebow, and the Sooners' Sam Bradford. The two quarterbacks are vastly different, but they have one thing in common (besides a big ol' trophy) - both of them are eligible to come back and play next year.

But will they? The answer to that might depend on what happens in Miami.

Bradford wasn't even a lock to be the starter last year. This year, he's cemented his place in Sooner history, helping his offense set a record for consecutive games in which they scored at least 60 points and becoming the second-straight sophomore to hoist the Heisman. If he enters the draft, he's projected to be one of the top picks. It doesn't seem like he's been around long enough to be looking toward the next level.

My dad said, "That 19 year old boy has no business being in the National Football League," and it does seem a little premature. But, again depending on the outcome of tomorrow night's game, what would he have left to accomplish if he returned? He holds several school passing records and has received national recognition for his performances.

The next logical step is toward the NFL but Bradford just seems too young, and too promising, to try to make that tough transition. He might be the top quarterback to go in this year's draft, but for what? A multimillion dollar contract to warm the bench? Any college football fans who truly enjoy watching Bradford play might not want to cheer too hard for the Sooners to end their bowl struggles. If they win, there's even less holding him back.

And what of Tim Tebow? He has a Heisman, too, and a national championship to go with it, but he hasn't gotten the same love from the NFL Scouts as his Oklahoma counterpart. I think he should stay. Not because he won't be a top quarterback prospect, but because I agree wholeheartedly with whichever talking head said "Tim Tebow epitomizes everything that is good about college football."

He's the textbook definition of a true college football player, multiplied by 1,000. His love of the game, fierce competitive nature and team spirit are much better suited to the college game. He's one of the best players on one of the best teams in the nation, and he seems to be enjoying every minute of it. If he's not going to be a top draft pick because he doesn't fit the profile the NFL's looking for, why not stay and savor it a little longer?

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January 8, 2009 10:07 AM ET

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Yeah, I'm pretty sure Tebow is staying.

How 'bout 'em

Marietta, GA

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January 8, 2009 04:12 PM ET

Congrats, this was selected for FanNation Speaks! I think that Bradford should go and Tebow should stay. Bradford's stock is really high, and this will likely be the last year that rookies will receive huge salaries. He'd be crazy not to go. Tebow won't get the kind of run that Bradford will, so I doubt that it'll be a huge difference in his bank account between this year and next. From a purely financial standpoint, it makes sense for Bradford to leave and Tebow to stay.

wtnelson = Big Chief

Fort Collins , CO

Total Comments (3644)

January 8, 2009 05:07 PM ET

I have yet to hear any so-called expert articulate the reasons Tim Tebow will not be a good pro. Big, strong, fast, decent arm, good leader. He's not Eric Crouch. Can ANYBODY tell me what's wrong with this kid?

PadUKat

Paducah , KY

Total Comments (6)

January 8, 2009 05:08 PM ET

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January 8, 2009 05:10 PM ET

Why is it Tebow will not make a good pro? I hear so-called experts dog this guy but not a soul articulates a factual basis. Big, strong, decent arm, good leader. Does anyone think the Vikings or Lions have a better QB than Tebow? Can anyone give a factual basis for downgrading Tebow?

January 9, 2009 12:35 PM ET

Just want to clarify that I don't really follow the NFL so I don't know the guidelines for what makes a "good pro QB" and, therefore, can't judge whether or not Tebow will be successful. He might have all the skills plus other, more important intangibles, but it seems that NFL scouts aren't high on him more because he's not the type of quarterback they're used to. Not every stellar college athlete can transition to the next level, and since Tebow doesn't fit the mold they have in mind, the "experts" aren't sure about his prospects. My argument is that since the scouts aren't sold on him, he probably won't be a top selection getting top contract dollars. He'll either be sitting on the bench until a team figures out what to do with him, or he'll get snatched up by a floundering team as its savior, and since neither of those situations is anywhere near as good as what he's got in Florida now, I'd tell him to enjoy it as long as he can.