Sooners QB Bradford to return for junior season

Now that Tim Tebow has announced that he’ll be returning to Florida to help defend their national championship in 2009 and forgo the NFL draft for another year, runner-up Oklahoma is in good shape as their QB Sam Bradford announced that he’ll be back as well.  The defending Heisman Trophy winner made it official on Wednesday at a press conference in Norman, OK.

Bradford joined several other Sooners in announcing their decision to return for the 2009 season including tight end Jermaine Gresham, offensive lineman Trent Williams and defensive lineman Gerald McCoy.  Bradford would very likely have been a high first round draft pick, but he suggested that the chance to make history with a National Title and unprecedented fourth consecutive Big Ten championship influenced his decision to return:

"After looking at all the information and the opportunities, I feel that it's in the best interest for me to come back. I've dreamed about playing at Oklahoma since I was little. My three years here have been probably three of the best years of my life. ... I feel there's no need to cut this experience short."

Bradford is taking a calculated risk with his decision to return for his junior season at OU—aside from the obvious risk of an injury a substandard season both personally or for the Sooners as a whole could damage his draft day status.  On the other hand, a second Heisman Trophy and a potential National Championship could boost his stock and potentially make him the number one overall selection and a household name before ever taking a snap in professional football.  He explained that he didn’t give it much thought before the Sooners’ season ended so he had a lot to assimilate in a short period of time:

"I did go back and forth several times and I really didn't put much thought into it before the national championship game. So there's a lot to comprehend in a short period of time. But I feel like this is where my heart is and where I want to be."

Obviously, Sooners’ coach Bob Stoops is happy with Bradford’s decision—not only for Bradford’s intrinsic skills under center but for the message it sends:

"We're excited about this for a couple of reasons. It makes our team stronger with that experience and talent coming back for another year. And hopefully, it sends a clear message to other young guys that these players value their experience in college and their education."

Stoops also commented on Oklahoma’s fifth consecutive BCS bowl loss and third consecutive Championship game loss earlier this month against Florida:

"We move on. We're already on to next year in our focus and what we are looking at. Having these guys back for next season is really exciting when you look at all the people we have coming back on defense and offense. We have an opportunity to have really a special year because of the quality depth and experience we have coming back."

The Sooners will open the 2009 college football season with a tough non-conference game in Arlington, TX against perennial Mountain West Conference contender BYU.