Tim Tebow started to walk off stage, then called an audible. The Florida quarterback turned around, grabbed the microphone and told teammates, coaches and fans exactly what they wanted to hear.

"Oh, by the way, let's do it again. I'm coming back," Tebow said.

Tebow thrilled more than 40,000 at the school's national championship celebration yesterday in Gainesville, Fla., by announcing plans to return for his senior season, with hopes of leading the Gators to their first undefeated season and fourth national title.

"Overall, I just felt loyal to this place," Tebow said. "I feel like I'm a role model, and a lot of times people start things and don't finish them. I didn't want to be like that. I wanted to be loyal to the university. I wanted to finish what I started and play another year."

Tebow threw 32 touchdown passes in 2007, ran for 23 more scores and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He did less this season, but accomplished more by leading Florida to its second national title in three years.

Tebow completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,746 yards with 30 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also led the team in rushing for the second straight year, gaining 673 yards and scoring 12 TDs.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound left-hander was 18 of 30 passing for 231 yards, with two touchdown passes and two interceptions in Thursday night's 24-14 victory against Oklahoma in the Bowl Championship Series title game. He also ran for 109 yards.

There was speculation he might head to the NFL, especially since he has talked about wanting a bigger platform to share his religious message and expand his community work, but Tebow said he never strongly considered leaving early.

"It was tough because some of that stuff is tempting at the next level and everything that goes along with it, especially ending on a great note with the national championship and moving on from there," Tebow said. "I love these guys and coach (Urban) Meyer and this program too much and I feel we can still end on a bang next year."

Meyer set him up with several NFL coaches to talk about his pro prospects. Although Tebow said he got mixed feedback, nothing he heard swayed his decision.

The Gators had three seniors in the starting lineup against the Sooners, meaning just about everyone could return next season. Receiver Percy Harvin and linebacker Brandon Spikes, fellow juniors considering turning pro, didn't address their futures yesterday. The deadline for underclassmen to apply for the NFL draft is Thursday.