Tim Tebow on Texas: 'They're for real'

Tim Tebow broke down Texas’ upset of Alabama and said what many Longhorns’ fans were thinking: Texas is “for real.”

Now No. 4 in the AP Top 25 poll, Texas, Steve Sarkisian and Quinn Ewers showed what this team could do at full strength, even on the road. Beating Alabama is no easy task and Tebow thought this team’s collection of talent finally came together at the right time.

Joining On3 Sports for an exclusive conversation, Tebow revealed what he saw as Texas knocked off the Crimson Tide.

“My biggest takeaway is there’s not that much different than what we thought going in honestly, is that we believe Texas is back because it’s not just because they they beat Alabama,” Tebow said. “It’s looking at their roster, look at what Sark has done, look at the offensive and defensive line, look at their backers, look at their backups right? 

“Their roster’s deep, it’s not just, we’ve heard this over and over again for the last 10, 15 years, you know, right? Texas is back? Texas is back? They weren’t back. They had a couple great players and they had a couple of big games. Now I think you can make a legit argument of why they’re back.”

Ewers passed for 349 yards and three touchdowns. Xavier Worthy caught five for 75 yards and a touchdown, AD Mitchell had three for 78 and two scores, plus Ja’Tavion Sanders had five catches for 114 yards.

There are playmakers all over the field. But the finesse is not the only impressive takeaway for Tebow.

“It’s and it’s not just Xavier Worthy, Quinn Ewers, it’s because of their defensive line, their offensive line,” Tebow said. “They went toe to toe with Alabama’s physicality and I’d say that you could give them the edge in the physical matchup, which when’s the last time you saw a team at least match, if not beat Alabama in the physical matchup? Maybe only Georgia could say that over the last few years. So that’s a win for Texas.”

Tim Tebow loves Texas amid upset of Alabama

Steve Sarkisian pushed all of the right buttons Saturday night. Not only were playmakers showing out, the team was physical.

That’s because of the confidence instilled by the head coach, according to Tebow.

“Look at their playmakers right,” Tebow said. “Xavier Worthy’s one of the biggest playmakers. Look at the change that Sark is having in Quinn Ewers right? Quinn has always been a talented guy, but man one of the things that stands out to me is his confidence. Look at the way Sark called plays for him early in the game, multiple fourth downs, was willing to go for it. The way he was able to stand in the pocket, deliver under pressure and have beautiful, deep throws down the field.

“But then also look at the way he was able to stand in there and take hits and then on multiple second and third and long’s, he was able to find and go put his head down and dive. That’s a different Quinn Ewers that’s the one that’s playing with confidence. That’s one that’s playing with the love for his team and his team rallies around him.”

Heck, when Ewers plays like that, it pumps everyone else up. It’s something that wasn’t seen consistently last year.

“Look at the offensive line run back and pick them up after he’s hit,” Tebow said of Texas’ camaraderie. “That’s something I always go back and watch for and so I think because of all of those reasons, not just one game, it’s not just Saturday afternoon, it’s for all those reasons, you can look back at Texas and say, ‘Hey, this is a team that’s for real.’ That is a legit top five team that I think can compete with anybody. 

“And add on to that ,I think they got one of the best play callers in the game. I think that’s important to mention because Sark was dialing it up. He knows what he’s doing. He did it for Alabama and now he’s doing it for Texas. And there’s a lot of reasons to celebrate and I know they are if you’re a Texas fan.”

Tim Tebow is working with the 22 student-athletes named to the AFCA Good Works Team and have changed lives by mentoring youth, feeding the hungry and donating their earnings. Some even established their own nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations – all while achieving high academic honors. The final team was selected out of 136 student-athletes who were nominated from across the county. Fans will be able to vote for the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain through Nov. 22.