Top Tebow Moment No. 10: Commits to Florida

Tim Tebow's college football career has mere days remaining. All this week, a look back at the Top 10 defining moments of his career.

"I will be playing college football next year at the University of Florida."

An examination of the top moments of Tim Tebow's college career has to start with the event that officially launched his college career: Committing to play for Florida.

Start with this background, the ESPN documentary "The Chosen One" that made Tebow the most recognized high school player and hotly anticipated college football player of the decade.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

Tebow was the linchpin of Urban Meyer's first real recruiting class -- the ultimate QB to run Meyer's spread offense, as well as a natural leader to lay the foundation for Meyer's system. Tebow was the must-have, and Meyer was in a fight with Alabama to get Tebow. It is fun to look back and see that Tebow was rated the No. 1-ranked "dual-threat" QB in the country by Rivals (No. 12 overall).

Ultimately, Tebow chose Florida -- in no small part because Tebow himself grew up a huge Gators fan, but ultimately because of the father-son relationship that Meyer offered him. Tebow's parents were Florida alums and his brother was then a Florida junior.

Looking back, it is almost impossible to consider how history is changed if Tebow chose Alabama. (Almost certainly, Florida would not have won the 2006 or 2008 national titles. And while Tebow's presence might not have saved David Shula's job -- Bama would trade Shula for Saban every time -- it would have been interesting; would Tebow have fit in Saban's pro-style offense?)

The fact remains: Tebow picking Florida was the precipitating event that led to everything that would follow.

The Complete Top 10
10. Commits to UF
9. I'm Coming Back!
8. Circumcisions
7. Crying
6. 20/20
5. The Virgin
4. Taunting Oklahoma
3. John 3:16
2. The Jump-Pass
1. The Promise