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Tuesday, August 8, 2006 12:00 am
Tebow calm with offense, players

By LOUIS ANASTASIS
Alligator Staff Writer

The only thing young about Tim Tebow is his face.

The quarterback spent his second day of fall camp throwing balls with the spunk of a rocket launcher and looking like any other upperclassman on the team.

In case you were wondering, Tebow has not been granted a waiver of his freshman classes.

"I'm comfortable out there, and I'm getting more comfortable as the days go by," Tebow said. "I don't think there's anything that [makes me feel] too uncomfortable."

Of course, the more Tebow proves he has acclimated himself to the spread offense, the more fans will insist he replace entrenched starter and senior Chris Leak. This does not do justice to Leak, whom Tebow is a huge fan of.

"I was watching Chris throw the ball; there's not too many people in the world who can throw a prettier pass than Chris," Tebow said. "Every day, it's awesome to come out here and work with a quarterback like that. He's the best I've ever seen. I think, since I've been here, he's thrown two balls that weren't spirals."

DEFENSIVE TACKLE REINSTATED: After announcing just hours earlier that a decision on reinstating defensive tackle Steven Harris was still a few days away, UF coach Urban Meyer allowed Harris back onto the field Sunday night.

Harris practiced with his teammates during the night session beginning at 8:05. It marked the first time Harris, a starter, had participated in any team-related activities since the start of spring practice. Harris also practiced Monday but declined to speak to the media.

Meyer had dismissed the defensive tackle from spring camp for undisclosed personal issues.

RYAN SMITH SIGHTING: Former Utah cornerback Ryan Smith stopped by UF's practice Monday, all but ensuring he will play for the Gators this season.

"[I can't comment today] but I probably will tomorrow," Meyer said.

Wearing a blue muscle shirt and black mesh shorts, Smith stretched and warmed up along the sidelines as if he was about to practice. However, he only ran a few sprints and then watched the remainder of practice.

Smith was a Freshmen All-American under Meyer in 2004 but played sparingly after the coach's departure. If and when he joins UF, he will also enroll in graduate school.

FRESHMAN HAS SURGERY: Safety Bryan Thomas, a highly touted recruit from Zephyrhills, underwent knee surgery Monday and will miss four to six weeks.

"They said it was very painful," Meyer explained. " ...That hurts us a little bit on the back end [of the safety position]."

Thomas twisted his knee several weeks ago; a recent MRI showed that he burst a blood vessel in the afflicted area.