12/23/2011 9:11:00 AM
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Friday he expects redshirt junior quarterback Landry Jones to return for his senior season as a Sooner in 2012.
“My gut feeling is that he’ll stay,” Stoops told the Tulsa World during a telephone interview.
If Stoops’ gut feeling is correct, Jones’ decision to return would be a huge boost of positive news for a Sooner program that faltered toward the end of the regular season.
Stoops said he didn’t think USC quarterback Matt Barkley’s announcement Thursday that he won’t enter next spring’s draft will have any effect on Jones’ decision
Before Barkley’s announcement, several NFL draft experts had Jones ranked as the fourth-best quarterback if he declares for the draft.
Stanford’s Andrew Luck is ranked as the overall No. 1 prospect, with Baylor’s Robert Griffin III and Barkley also rated ahead of Jones.
“I don’t think that (Barkley’s decision) will matter,” Stoops said. “Landry’s not sitting there basing his decision off what they decide.”
Jones’ return would be similar to when Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford remained a Sooner one season longer than most predicted. Although Bradford was injury early the next season, he still was the No. 1 overall selection the 210 draft.
Jones was considered a Heisman front-runner during the preseason. His return to the game’s most important position would instantly give renewed hope to an OU program that struggled down the stretch, losing two if its last three games.
Stoops said he wasn’t sure when Jones will make an announcement about his future.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Friday he expects redshirt junior quarterback Landry Jones to return for his senior season as a Sooner in 2012.
“My gut feeling is that he’ll stay,” Stoops told the Tulsa World during a telephone interview.
If Stoops’ gut feeling is correct, Jones’ decision to return would be a huge boost of positive news for a Sooner program that faltered toward the end of the regular season.
Stoops said he didn’t think USC quarterback Matt Barkley’s announcement Thursday that he won’t enter next spring’s draft will have any effect on Jones’ decision
Before Barkley’s announcement, several NFL draft experts had Jones ranked as the fourth-best quarterback if he declares for the draft.
Stanford’s Andrew Luck is ranked as the overall No. 1 prospect, with Baylor’s Robert Griffin III and Barkley also rated ahead of Jones.
“I don’t think that (Barkley’s decision) will matter,” Stoops said. “Landry’s not sitting there basing his decision off what they decide.”
Jones’ return would be similar to when Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford remained a Sooner one season longer than most predicted. Although Bradford was injury early the next season, he still was the No. 1 overall selection the 210 draft.
Jones was considered a Heisman front-runner during the preseason. His return to the game’s most important position would instantly give renewed hope to an OU program that struggled down the stretch, losing two if its last three games.
Stoops said he wasn’t sure when Jones will make an announcement about his future.
