Gators icon Tim Tebow speaks to reporters on Friday afternoon on the set of "SEC Nation." (Photo: Ethan Roy/UAA Communications)
Tebow Sees Something Special Brewing Again At Florida
Friday, September 25, 2026 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — He may not remember "The Promise" word for word, and as of Friday afternoon, he hadn't gotten in his lift with Jon Sumrall, but Tim Tebow has still bought into the Florida Gators.
With a "contagious feeling in the air," the Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion returned to town with "SEC Nation" for Saturday's Southeastern Conference clash between No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 21 Florida in The Swamp.
For Tebow, this Sumrall-led Gators squad is exciting, so much so that he draws comparisons to his teams at Florida, especially the playmakers.
"I just think Florida's playmakers have the chance to match up with, especially offensively, some of the best around the SEC, some of the best around the country," he said.
But a Rebels team fresh off a statement win at home stands in the way.
The showdown is expected to create a distinct environment at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, in the Gators' 21st consecutive sellout, one Tebow predicts will be "crazier than it's been" since the last time Florida was 3-0 in 2019.
Tebow said Gators fans need to be loud to make it feel like the glory years of his career.
Home-field advantage plays a crucial role in outcomes. But when 90,000 people are tightly packed with little room between benches and bleachers, it's different.
"I love it. It's an awesome advantage. I think it's one of the best advantages in all of college football," Tebow said of The Swamp.
While the cheers, chants and clamor will fill the orange walls, borders and tunnels, the team itself needs to perform.
Few doubts linger for the Gator great about the 2026 team.
It began when he first called the man at the helm. Tebow was inspired, fired up and told Sumrall, "Let's go get a lift."
"I think Sumrall brings that really contagious inspiration and passion; all together, it just fires you up when you're around him," he said. "And he brings that everywhere he is. And I think added to that, the type of person he is. I think that really matters. Really, loved getting a chance to know him and think he's the right guy."
Sumrall also brought in staff that Tebow has grown to like, including offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who he followed while Faulkner was at Georgia Tech.
Faulkner's offense ranks in the top three in the country in points per game (54) and yards per game (544.3).
The matchup between Faulkner and Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, who was the Rebels' defensive coordinator before a promotion, is also an intriguing one for Tebow, who serves as a pregame analyst on SEC Nation.
"He has a great mind," Tebow said of Faulkner. "I think he's done a great job so far this year, and I think tomorrow (Saturday) is going to be a really interesting test. Just also how aggressive they're going to be versus controlling it with time and possession."
The media availability on the east side of the Plaza of the Americas on Friday afternoon wouldn't have been complete if the former Gators quarterback wasn't asked about the current Gators quarterback, Aaron Philo, also an import from Georgia Tech.
Tebow said Philo shows quality traits for a quarterback, including decision-making, poise and toughness.
So far this season, Philo has thrown for 721 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
Being back in Gainesville stirred up some old emotions and memories for Tebow.
Memories and moments that meant he didn't have to make a reservation at a fancy restaurant on a Friday night, making him arguably the biggest celebrity in the 352.
But the focus is on the present and future, not the past. All on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. to the final whistle.
"I think it's the magnitude of the moment. I think it's the hope that Gator Nation has," he said. "I think that contagious feeling is in the air."
With a "contagious feeling in the air," the Heisman Trophy winner and two-time national champion returned to town with "SEC Nation" for Saturday's Southeastern Conference clash between No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 21 Florida in The Swamp.
For Tebow, this Sumrall-led Gators squad is exciting, so much so that he draws comparisons to his teams at Florida, especially the playmakers.
"I just think Florida's playmakers have the chance to match up with, especially offensively, some of the best around the SEC, some of the best around the country," he said.
But a Rebels team fresh off a statement win at home stands in the way.
The showdown is expected to create a distinct environment at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, in the Gators' 21st consecutive sellout, one Tebow predicts will be "crazier than it's been" since the last time Florida was 3-0 in 2019.
Tebow said Gators fans need to be loud to make it feel like the glory years of his career.
Home-field advantage plays a crucial role in outcomes. But when 90,000 people are tightly packed with little room between benches and bleachers, it's different.
"I love it. It's an awesome advantage. I think it's one of the best advantages in all of college football," Tebow said of The Swamp.
While the cheers, chants and clamor will fill the orange walls, borders and tunnels, the team itself needs to perform.
Few doubts linger for the Gator great about the 2026 team.
It began when he first called the man at the helm. Tebow was inspired, fired up and told Sumrall, "Let's go get a lift."
"I think Sumrall brings that really contagious inspiration and passion; all together, it just fires you up when you're around him," he said. "And he brings that everywhere he is. And I think added to that, the type of person he is. I think that really matters. Really, loved getting a chance to know him and think he's the right guy."
Sumrall also brought in staff that Tebow has grown to like, including offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who he followed while Faulkner was at Georgia Tech.
Faulkner's offense ranks in the top three in the country in points per game (54) and yards per game (544.3).
The matchup between Faulkner and Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding, who was the Rebels' defensive coordinator before a promotion, is also an intriguing one for Tebow, who serves as a pregame analyst on SEC Nation.
"He has a great mind," Tebow said of Faulkner. "I think he's done a great job so far this year, and I think tomorrow (Saturday) is going to be a really interesting test. Just also how aggressive they're going to be versus controlling it with time and possession."
The media availability on the east side of the Plaza of the Americas on Friday afternoon wouldn't have been complete if the former Gators quarterback wasn't asked about the current Gators quarterback, Aaron Philo, also an import from Georgia Tech.
Tebow said Philo shows quality traits for a quarterback, including decision-making, poise and toughness.
So far this season, Philo has thrown for 721 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns.
Being back in Gainesville stirred up some old emotions and memories for Tebow.
Memories and moments that meant he didn't have to make a reservation at a fancy restaurant on a Friday night, making him arguably the biggest celebrity in the 352.
But the focus is on the present and future, not the past. All on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. to the final whistle.
"I think it's the magnitude of the moment. I think it's the hope that Gator Nation has," he said. "I think that contagious feeling is in the air."
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