GAINESVILLE - Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has been named the 2005 High School Quarterback of the Year by The National Quarterback Club.

While this may sound as if Tebow faces induction into some sort of secret signal-calling society involving pledgemaster Bernie Kosar, 20 pounds of cold cuts and a bag of rooster feathers, fear not. The Gators’ wunderkind is just heading to our nation’s capital on July 22 to pick up an award. The club also is honoring its pro quarterback of the year (Ben Rothlisberger) and its college quarterback of the year (Vince Young).

Now, before you conspiracy theorists start to think this award is another reason Tebow should supplant starter Chris Leak, consider this. Leak won the very same award in 2002. Of course, Leak started as a true freshman. So maybe that means ... Naaah. Not a chance.