Oklahoma QB Bradford to return for junior season
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (TICKER) —Sam Bradford helped ease the pain for Oklahoma fans still reeling from the Sooners’ 24-14 loss to Florida in the BCS championship game.
Despite being projected as a possible top pick in this year’s draft, the current Heisman Trophy winner announced Wednesday that he would return to Oklahoma for his junior season.
“After looking at all the information and weighing the pros and cons of both, I think that it is in my best interest to come back to Oklahoma,” Bradford said during a news conference.
Although just a sophomore, the 21-year-old Bradford was regarded by many scouts as the most NFL-ready quarterback had he entered the draft.
The Oklahoma City native paced the Football Bowl Subdivision this past season with 50 touchdowns while passing for 4,721 yards - the third-best mark in the FBS.
However, Bradford decided that his NFL career can wait at least one more year.
“I feel this is where my heart is and where I want to be,” said Bradford, who directed one of the most potent offenses in NCAA history in 2008.
Oklahoma scored an NCAA-record 702 points while becoming the first team in 89 years to surpass 60 or more points in five straight games.
The Sooners routed Missouri, 62-21, in the Big 12 Conference championship game to win their third straight league title.
However, Bradford was held in check by Florida in the BCS title game, passing for only 256 yards and throwing two interceptions against the Gators.
Bradford said the loss to Florida did not weigh heavily in his decision to come back to Oklahoma.
“I’ve dreamed about playing at Oklahoma since I was a little kid,” he said. “The last three years have been three of the best years of my life. There’s no reason to cut that experience short.
“I look forward to competing for a fourth straight Big 12 championship and another opportunity to win the national championship.”
Bradford continued a recent trend of Heisman Trophy winners returning to school the year after capturing the award. He follows Oklahoma’s Jason White in 2003, Southern California’s Matt Leinart in 2004 and Florida’s Tim Tebow in 2007.
Bradford also became the third Oklahoma player to announce a return this week, joining defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and offensive tackle Trent Williams, who made his decision earlier Wednesday.
“Hopefully it sends a loud and clear message to other young guys out there that these (Oklahoma) guys value the experience of college,” Sooners coach Bob Stoops said.
