Remember when you were in school and had the class where a teacher graded on a curve — and there was always the one really smart kid who threw off the curve?

That’s Tim Tebow.

The Florida quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner — as a sophomore, no less — is throwing off the curve for the rest of the Southeastern Conference, and some would argue the entire NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (still known to normal sports fans as Division I-A).

With the exception of the one bobble at Ole Miss, Tebow has led the Gators to a thorough smashing of all who came in their way. And even after the loss to the Rebels, he found a way to turn lemons into Gatorade, with an emotional speech at the post-game press conference that has already become the stuff of college football legend.

Move over, Knute Rockne.

What’s worse is that he actually made good on what he said. The proof of that is how Florida laid waste to every opponent following the loss, and then how Tebow led his team to the comeback win over Alabama in the SEC Championship.

Maybe they should just rename the ESPN Classic to “Tebow Classic.”

So now the time has come to say, on behalf of all fans of the rest of the SEC and the NCAA:

You’ve done a heckuva a job, Timmy. Now get out of here.

First collect your second Heisman. Then get your BCS Championship. Then get an obscenely huge check from the National Football League. If anyone ever deserved it more than you, I can’t think of who it would be.

It’s not that opposing fans hate Tim Tebow. They may hate what he does to their teams, but by and large they don’t hate Tebow personally. Even the inhabitants of that toxic waste dump known as Internet sports blogs and forums are not nearly as venomous in their trash talk, and if you’ve ever waded through some of that cyber-slime, you know that’s a miracle.

Instead, most fans seem to be in awe of Tebow. The good looks, the poise, the public humility, all coupled with the obvious athletic ability, have made him more like a Greek god to be worshiped.

Not that Tebow would like that. He’s a devout Christian, and the poster boy for home-school children across America. Quick — what Bible verse reference does he write on his eye-black patches? (Answer: Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” [KJV])

In other words, opposing fans want to hate Tim Tebow. But even the most rabid Seminole, Bulldog or Tide fans can’t bring themselves to it.

While that euphoric sense of awe and wonder, it’s time for Tebow to make the big jump a year early.

So go on, Tim. Declare yourself eligible for the NFL Draft. You, of all athletes, know how to strike when the iron is hot. Well, it’s about as hot as it will ever get right now.

The pros could use some new blood at quarterback right now. The Mannings are still doing great, but other passers have issues. Brett Favre? Love him, but he’s getting old (duh). Tom Brady? Leads the Injured Reserve League. Donovan McNabb? Thinks the rules say he should get paid time-and-a-half if a game goes to overtime.

For the sake of fans everywhere except Gator Nation, Tim, go pro. We’d love to see you play on Sundays. We hope you don’t end up with an awful team, but maybe you’ll turn one into a winner.

Go on, take the money and run.

Robert Carter is the sports editor of The North Jefferson News.