Associated Press
NORMAN, Okla. ó Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford wasn’t ready to give up the life of a college quarterback ó not without a national championship.
The third-year sophomore quarterback will return to Oklahoma next season, passing on a chance to be a high NFL draft pick.
“I’ve dreamed about playing at Oklahoma since I was little, and my three years here have been probably three of the best years of my life, and I really feel that there’s no need to cut this experience short,” Bradford said Wednesday at a news conference.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back and competing for a fourth straight Big 12 championship and another opportunity at a national championship.”
Bradford led the nation with 50 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 180.8. He likely would have been one of the first quarterbacks taken in April’s draft.
Instead, Bradford will take another run at a national championship with Oklahoma. The record-breaking quarterback led the Sooners to the BCS championship game this season, but they lost 24-14 to Florida.
“Obviously its frustrating to end with a loss and I want to come back and finish my career the right way: on a win,” Bradford said. “I would say it had a little bit of an influence on my decision, but I really tried to keep that out of my mind because that could have limited myself to making the best decision for me.”
Bradford also let it slip that tight end Jermaine Gresham and offensive lineman Trent Williams also decided not to enter the draft early. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy has also said he’ll be back for another season with the Sooners.