Ed Reinke / Ap File /

Florida has been heralded as one of the most fertile football recruiting areas in the nation with 350 high-school seniors signing college scholarships each year. Gators coach Urban Meyer has capitalized on the homegrown talent and is building his program with five-star guys that just happen to fit his system, writes NBCSports.com contributor Joey Johnston.

The Trojans scored the 6-foot-5 receiver, whom they had worked expertly all along from the opposite coast. All Williams did was become a first-team All-American, helping two different quarterbacks (Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart) to Heisman status, and an eventual first-round draft choice.

It sure seemed like a slam-dunk, but the Gators couldn’t see it. While USC’s fortunes rose, and Florida’s dropped, Gator fans were constantly reminded of that fact. One player can make a huge difference. Missing that one player can make an even bigger difference.

Which brought us to Wednesday. The Gators covered all their bases. Tebow, particularly, already has ascended to near-celebrity status, having been hounded for autographs and pictures by fans at a recent Gator basketball game.

Even with the return of senior quarterback Chris Leak, who struggled at times while running Meyer’s spread-option offense last season, Gator fans can’t help but look to the future. During a state playoff game with Nease High School, Tebow looked up to the stands while running off the field and was greeted by this giant homemade banner:

"GATOR NATION NEEDS YOU!"

It sure makes sense. Tebow resembles a left-handed Alex Smith (the Utah version), a rifle-armed, read-and-react athlete who throws and runs with equal power. In short, he looks like the perfect fit for what Meyer is trying to accomplish.

Tebow, Florida’s Mr. Football award winner, threw for a state-record 95 career touchdown passes and ran for 63 more. In the state championship game, he accounted for 390 yards and six touchdowns.

Harvin, meanwhile, is the prep version of Steve Smith, a receiver who takes over a game with speed and guile. Some believe Harvin can make an instant impact, similar to Penn State super freshman Derrick Williams before he suffered a mid-season injury.

Johnson is an earth-mover type who is valued by any type of program, any philosophy of offense.

An impressive body of work has been assembled — and the payoff was Wednesday . Of course, it was a footnote to most mainstream sports fans. The real race for No. 1 culminates next January when the BCS crowns its champion in Glendale, Ariz.

Don't count out the Gators.

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