Tebow leans toward Zaire in Florida QB battle

The quarterback situation at Florida is one of the more intriguing position battles in the country heading into the 2017 season, and a man as qualified as any to ever play that spot has weighed in on who he thinks should start.

Tim Tebow, arguably the greatest player in Gators history, thinks Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire might be the guy for the 2017 season, giving highly-touted redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks another year to grow.

"I do think Feleipe Franks has a very bright future, but you have to lean a little bit towards Malik if he's able to compete well and show his stuff in fall camp," Tebow said on the CBS Sports 247 College Football Podcast. "This is a player I've been around, I know him pretty well, he's pretty talented. But where he can change the game is with his athleticism, with his legs."

The Gators haven't had a player pass for more than 2,100 yards in a season since Tebow last suited up for the program in 2009, and the struggles at the quarterback position have weighed Florida down since. Zaire's dual-threat capabilities are reminiscent of Tebow's during his time with the school.

Zaire has battled injuries throughout his collegiate career, but has shown flashes of brilliance in limited time with the Fighting Irish. With head coach Jim McElwain's history of grooming quarterbacks, the senior could help turn around the Gators offense in a very short period of time.