The parallels between Prescott, Tebow run deeper than you think

The parallels between Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott and former Florida Heisman winner and national champion Tim Tebow are obvious. No, Prescott does not have a Heisman or a national title ring, not yet anyway.

But he does share a lot of similarities with Tebow.

1. Both played quarterback for Dan Mullen during their college careers. Mullen was Tebow’s offensive coordinator and position coach at Florida, and he’s also the man who saw Prescott’s potential as a quarterback when most thought he’d play tight end or safety in college. Mullen’s run-oriented offense suits both players perfectly, and both put up (and in Prescott’s case is still putting up) ridiculous numbers under Mullen’s tutelage.
2. They’re both incredible runners despite sporting big, wide bodies. This isn’t to say they’re not both dynamic athletes, because they obviously are. But they’re not built like Nick Marshall, whose sleeker physique makes him appear quicker and shiftier. Prescott and Tebow are big, strong men, and yet they run around and away from defenders just as often as they run through them.
3. They make everyone else around them play better. It’s difficult to quantify this intangible, but watch either of them play and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Offensive lines block better with a guy like that behind them. Running backs run harder and receivers run better routes. Heck, even the guy’s defense will sell out just to get the ball back in his hands. Tebow was vocal and always wore his emotions on his sleeve. He made sure everyone watching saw his effort level and determination, and never let his teammates fall short of that standard. Prescott is a bit quieter in his demeanor, but when he’s on the field, his teammates respond in an obvious way.
4. Both will never get enough credit for how well they throw/threw. You people who are laughing at the notion that Tebow could throw, this is aimed at you. Tebow may not have cut it in the pros, where only about 15-20 starters can keep a job for even one full season, but at the college level he was a damn good passer. He never threw more than six interceptions in any season — for context’s sake, Matt Leinart never threw fewer than six picks in a season at USC. Tebow completed more than 66 percent of his passes for his career. Again, he was a damn good passer. Prescott is, too, although most are fixated on his running abilities as Mullen calls for a lot of designed runs. But on passing plays, Prescott is not someone looking for an excuse to break the pocket and take off. He holds the ball for as long as he can, waiting for something to develop. This is much different than a true running quarterback like Marshall, who doesn’t hesitate to take off at any time.
5. Prescott takes care of the football. He’s only thrown two interceptions this season, and didn’t throw any in back-to-back wins over top 10 teams. Like Tebow, he’s a great passer, but no one will ever give either of them credit for that.
6. Both guys are winners. We all know Tebow was a winner, with the two national titles and a 36-5 record in three seasons as the Gators’ starter post-Chris Leak. He was 7-2 against top 10 opponents at Florida, proving it’s impossible to be the best without beating the best. Prescott is not far behind. He’s 9-3 as a starter in the grueling SEC West, and 2-1 against top 10 teams (Mullen has never beaten a top 10 team without Prescott). If Prescott keeps this up, he, too, will be the best by season’s end. He’s already established himself as the best quarterback in the SEC, something Tebow once claimed as well, and he’s well on his way to a Heisman and a playoff berth if he can avoid falling victim to the West.

Those who want to argue that Prescott is already better than Tebow, slow your roll. Tebow is the standard any college quarterback hopes to meet, and Prescott has not met it just yet. Tebow was the complete package: he had the superstar talent, the leadership intangibles, the unquenchable thirst to get better, and these are all things quarterbacks hope to attain before their careers come to an end.

Prescott already has all of those tools, and we’re seeing them unfold Saturday after Saturday. He’s in pursuit of Tebow’s accolades and is closer to Tebow status than any other player in the country.

I’ll repeat: Prescott isn’t better than Tebow. Yet. Check back with me at the end of the season. My answer may change by then.

Ethan Levine

A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.