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Gators Morning Gators: Tebow tries bench press record; UF on Nease QB

On3 imageby:Zach Abolverdi•03/08/22•

ZachAbolverdi

Tim-Tebow-Florida-Gators
Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Florida Gators football is the No. 1 topic in Good Morning Gators every day — but we cover news, notes and analysis from across the Gators sports world. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Florida football, recruiting, basketball and more.

If Tim Tebow had performed the bench press at the NFL Combine, he would have shattered the record for most reps by a quarterback.

Tebow didn’t take part in the bench press during his Combine workout in 2010, but showed Monday what he’s capable of — at 34 years old.

Tebow, promoting his new book Mission Possible, tried to match the most reps at the NFL Combine this year by Boston College’s Zion Johnson, who put up 32.

“I have not done this in forever,” Tebow says in the video below. “Maybe the mission is still possible to put up a good number.”

Before Tebow started on the bench press he looked up and asked, “What did they say the record was this year?”

The former Florida quarterback and Heisman Trophy Winner then did a whopping 31 reps of 225 pounds. He struggled to finish the 31st rep but was able to extend his right elbow all the way out.

Tebow attempted to tie Johnson’s mark of 32, to no avail.

“Whoever got the record,” Tebow said sitting up, “the mission was not possible for me today. Good job.”

A total of 44 quarterbacks have performed the bench press at the NFL Combine since 1987, with only 11 managing to do 20 or more reps. The record for a QB was set in 2009 by Hartwick College’s Jason Boltus, who did 26 reps.

Tebow’s sixth book, Mission Possible, is being released Tuesday.

In other Florida football news

  • With camp approaching, Gators Online will preview Florida’s offense, defense and special teams over the next two weeks. Up next: the defensive line position.
  • Gators Online’s Nick de la Torre continues his countdown of 10 players he’s excited to see heading into spring camp with linebacker Diwun Black.

UF recruiting roundup

  • Nease High School, Tebow’s alma mater, has another quarterback being recruited by the Gators. Three-star signal caller Marcus Stokes has been in contact with the new staff and plans to visit UF on March 26.

Gators sports roundup

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Highlights of Florida’s Zachary Carter, Kaiir Elam, Jeremiah Moon and Dameon Pierce competing in the 2022 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis:

Under the direction of first-year coach Billy Napier, the Gators started naming nutrition and scholar athletes of the week on Feb. 7. Three athletes are selected for each category every Monday.

Florida’s Derek Wingo doubled up this week and was one of three linebackers named nutrition athletes of the week, while Michael Tarquin, O’Cyrus Torrence and Wingo were the scholar athletes of the week.

Here are the UF players who have been recognized thus far:

Nutrition athletes of the week: Anthony Richardson, O’Cyrus Torrence, Lorenzo Lingard (Feb. 7), Kingsley Eguakun, Jack Miller, Kamryn Waites (Feb. 15); Keon Zipperer, Justin Pelic, Josh Braun (Feb. 21); Jason Marshall Jr., Ja’Quavion Fraziars, Yousef Mugharbil (Feb. 28); Chief Borders, Derek Wingo, Scooby Williams (March 7)
Scholar athletes of the week: Antwuan Powell, Chris McClellan, Trent Whittemore (Feb. 7); Montrell Johnson, Demarkcus Bowman, Desmond Watson (Feb. 15); Devin Moore, Gervon Dexter, Nay’quan Wright (Feb. 21); Jason Marshall Jr., Jalen Kitna, Justin Shorter (Feb. 28); Michael Tarquin, O’Cyrus Torrence, Derek Wingo (March 7)

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