NEW YORK (AP) -Tim Tebow is the fifth winner of the Campbell Trophy to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
The quarterback who helped Florida win two national titles was the surprise No. 25 pick of the Denver Broncos on Thursday night.
The William V. Campbell Trophy is awarded to the nation’s top scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation.
“Tim Tebow is a once in a lifetime student-athlete,” NFF president Steve Hatchell said in a statement Friday. “Whether it’s his 3.66 GPA, his countless hours of community service or his Heisman Trophy, Tim has proven that he’ll be successful in any environment.”
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner “has all the traits you’re looking for in terms of toughness, competitiveness. He’s intelligent. He’s won a lot of games. He’s a leader. He works hard. He’s got all the intangibles you look for in a player at that position.”
f California, was taken by the Cleveland Browns with the 21st pick of the first round. The other Campbell/first-round picks were QB Peyton Manning (No. 1, Colts, 1998); OT Matt Stinchcomb (No. 18, Raiders, 1999); and QB Chad Pennington (No. 18, Jets in 2000).
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SAY WHAT? A sampling of comments from coaches and GMs following their team’s first-round picks Thursday night:
– “We’re addressing positions, not just with Band-Aids, but plugging them pretty good.” Lions coach Jim Schwartz on No. 2 pick, Ndamukong Suh, and No. 30 pick, RB Jahvid Best.
– “This guy has a tremendous motor. … He’s very powerful, he’s productive, he’s explosive and he’s versatile.” – Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland on No. 28 pick, DL Jared Odrick.
– “As I made the comparison to basketball the other day, to me he’s like a 7-footer who can play.” – Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt on No. 26 pick, DT Dan Williams, who is 6-3, 327 pounds and will move to NT.
– “This guy wants to be the best left tackle in the NFL. He might want to be the best left tackle ever. He’s got a presence about him.” – Seahawks GM John Schneider on No. 6 pick, OT Russell Okung.
– “We think the guy has the biggest upside of any player in the draft. That’s how we feel about this guy. We feel the sky is the limit.” – Giants GM Jerry Reese on No. 15 pick DE Jason Pierre-Paul, who played one season at South Florida.
e drafted L.T., and I know how excited I was that day. I’m equally excited to get Ryan here now.” – Chargers coach Norv Turner after team traded up for No. 12 pick and chose RB Ryan Mathews.
– “I’ve had a lot of questions about him at No. 10, and I completely understand it. I am not trying to win a popularity contest. I understand that people are going to have questions. I’m about winning a Super Bowl.” – Jaguars GM Gene Smith on surprising No. 10 choice, DT Tyson Alualu.
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NO PICKS: Baltimore and Minnesota joined Carolina and Chicago without first-round draft picks after trading them away Thursday.
Baltimore traded its first-round pick (No. 25) to Denver for the Broncos’ second- (No. 43), third- (No.70), and fourth-round (No. 114) picks. Denver selected Florida QB Tim Tebow.
Minnesota traded its first- (No. 30) and fourth-round (No. 128) picks to Detroit for the Lions’ second- (No. 34), fourth- (No. 100) and seventh-round (No. 214) picks. Detroit selected California RB Jahvid Best.
Carolina and Chicago previously traded away their first-rounders.
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