Tim Tebow will not be among the players on the Playboy Preseason All-America team after Florida officials decided not to nominate the junior quarterback because of his religious convictions.

When the nomination requests came this past spring, Florida assistant sports information director Zack Higbee decided against nominating Tebow. He told Tebow of his decision months later, and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner approved. Tebow is a Christian who is actively involved in missionary work.

The decision follows a similar one taken by former Gator and Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who also declined to be a part of the team in 1996, because of his religious convictions.

West Virginia's Pat White is the quarterback for the 2008 team. Playboy senior vice president and director of photography Gary Cole, said he was leaning toward White before Florida's decision, and there are no hard feelings.

"It was the decision of the University of Florida not to nominate him to the prestigious 52-year old Playboy All-America tradition.'' Cole told the Times. "I can only guess at their reasons but I know that Tim is a deeply religious young man and perhaps would be uncomfortable accepting an invitation from Playboy. I’m a fairly religious man myself, but I have no problem working and writing for Playboy. It becomes a matter of individual choice. In any case, Pat White from West Virginia was my early choice for the team at quarterback. Tim will be around a few more college seasons. We’ll have other chances to select him and he can make his decision then about whether or not to attend our weekend.''

Cole said one out of approximately every 50 athletes turns down an offer to be a part of the team.

Tebow has photo shoots scheduled this week with Sporting News and Sports Illustrated.