During his time at Florida, Tim Tebow had a big impact. He became one of the most illustrious college football players of all time.

As an ESPN analyst, he keeps close tabs on his alma mater.

On Friday, Tebow heaped praise on current Gators head coach Jon Sumrall on ESPN College Football.

“I liked him when we hired him,” Tebow said. “I love him the more that I’ve gotten to know him.”

In November 2025, Florida hired Sumrall as head coach after stints at Troy and Tulane Universities. He brought with him a pedigree of success.

At both institutions, Sumrall won conference titles and led his teams to bowl appearances.

In 2023, Sumrall was inducted into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame.

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Last Saturday, the Gators began their season with a dominating 52-3 win over Campbell. This Saturday, Florida will hit the road to play against Auburn. The school initially had the edge in hiring Sumrall before an administrative issue derailed that potential hire.

Ironically, Sumrall's family also has a deep, abiding connection to Auburn.

Sumrall is looking to get the program back to prominence after a lackluster 4-8 season.

Tebow played for Florida from 2006 to 2009. Along the way, Tebow led the Gators to two national championships in 2006 and 2008. In 2007, he won the Heisman Trophy.

Along the way, Tebow posted a 48-7 record and threw for 145 combined touchdowns. As a result, he became a celebrated icon within the program and the broader state.

Tebow went on to play in the NFL from 2010 to 2012.