Tebow returning for senior season

By Andy Staples, SI.com

With Tim Tebow returning, Florida will likely open the 2009 season with the No. 1 ranking. John Biever/SI

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida quarterback Tim Tebow began to walk off the stage to close the Gators' national title celebration Sunday. Then the junior stopped.

"Oh, and by the way, one more thing," Tebow said. "Let's do it again. I'm coming back."

With Tebow back, the Gators probably will begin the 2009 season atop the polls. Florida returns most of a defense that held Oklahoma -- which averaged 54 points a game this season -- to 14 points in Thursday's BCS title game.

Gators coach Urban Meyer said Sunday that linebacker Brandon Spikes and receiver Percy Harvin, both juniors, are still trying to decide whether they should enter the NFL draft.

"They're still researching," Meyer said. "That's all I want is for them to make a good decision."

Next season, Tebow will try to win a third national title in four years and a second Heisman Trophy in three years. In 2007, Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman. He received the most first-place votes in 2008 but lost out to Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.

"It means a lot," Meyer said of Tebow's return. "Obviously, the functional football player part, but it goes so much deeper. He's so good for college football."