By Matt Hayes

updated 6:12 p.m. ET Jan. 7, 2009

Matt Hayes

MIAMI - I'm going to share an email that my overly talented friend and co-worker Dave Curtis sent early Tuesday morning while discussing our latest head-to-head argument.

His words: "I'll take Sam (Bradford), you take the greatest college athlete of all-time."

Frankly, I don't know why you'd even look at the other side of the argument now.

I used to have this patented answer when people would ask about the greatest college football player of all time. There was no hesitation; it was always Herschel Walker.

Then Tim Tebow came along.

Let me say first that I've spent time with both Tebow and Bradford, and there couldn't be two more fitting ambassadors for the game. They're what every coach dreams of finding somewhere on the recruiting trail.

But only one transcends the game. Only one does so much in so many different ways that the improbable is no longer the unthinkable. At this point, what is it that Tim Tebow could do that would surprise you?

As a true freshman, he was a part-time starter but the clear reason Florida won the national title. Last year, he put up insane numbers to become the first player to win the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore, and should've won it again this fall because — more than anything — he's the nation's best player.

"He had to have those statistics last year," said Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes. "We had a bunch of selfish guys on defense and he had to carry us. This year is different. You'd be crazy to bet against him."

But you better believe they're out there. Guys like my pal Dave, who think Oklahoma is tired of hearing about how they've lost four straight BCS games and will play with passion and swagger behind Bradford. Or the Oklahoma defense, which conveniently forgets the loss to Texas — and that quarterback Colt McCoy and the Longhorns hung 45 on the Sooners.

McCoy is a terrific college player, but he's not Tebow.

And the rest of the Texas offense? Not Florida — not even close.

We can talk about Tebow's will to win, or his ability to raise the level of play of those around him. Or his sheer numbers.

It's so much more than that. In three short years, he has become the face of college football.

Think of what we've witnessed since this BCS ride began in 1998: the rebirth of three storied programs (Oklahoma, USC, LSU), the best team in the modern era (Miami, 2001) and a handful of coaches who have changed the way the game is played. It's time for everyone in this who's-next college football world to throw it in neutral and soak in the reality:

We're witnessing the greatest college athlete of all-time.

Come Thursday, there will be no denying it.

Also on NBCSports.com College basketball: Get the latest on March Madness Boxing: Pacquiao wins again |   Vote: Beat Mayweather? PFT: It's decision time for Tomlinson: Jets or Vikings?   Golf: Johnny Miller weighs in on Tiger's return Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Leach faces accuser James in lawsuit deposition   CFT: Adam James reportedly didn’t want Leach fired Oregon's Masoli suspended for next season   Vote: Will Masoli sit out entire 2010 season? CFT: Hightower, Green back for 'Bama   Vote: Who will win BCS championship next season? Five things to watch for in spring practices CollegeFootballTalk on NBCSports.com   Slideshow: Cheerleaders from around the country Full coverage of every team   College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: