NORMAN — Oklahoma’s Big 12 and national championship hopes received a boost on Thursday. Quarterback Landry Jones announced he will return for his senior season.
“I want to accomplish the goals that I set before I got here, and there is still a lot more to do,” Jones said in a statement released by OU. “I want to make sure I’ve exhausted every effort in that area. And I want to be a senior. I enjoy being at OU and with my teammates and look forward to graduating with the guys that were in my class when I got here.”
Jones is expected to graduate in May. He needs 11 more credit hours to complete his degree in multidisciplinary studies.
The Sooners’ all-time leading passer with 12,389 yards and 93 touchdown passes said he likes the team the Sooners will bring back next season and believes it is capable of making a national championship run.
“We hope to have another opportunity to make a title run,” Jones said. “Most of the offensive line returns and we have several receivers and backs return, too. We’ve also got a lot of guys back on defense, so we’re confident that we can be a strong team.”
OU coach Bob Stoops was adamant throughout December that he wouldn’t try to sway Jones’ decision. He only wanted to make sure the quarterback had accurate information to use in the process. Stoops was pleased with Jones’ decision.
“We know the positive influence Landry has on and off the field with our team,” Stoops said. “We’re excited that he’s coming back to build on what has already been an outstanding career. We expect another great year from him, and like the fact that he’s determined to be even better.”
Jones threw for 4,463 yards and 29 touchdowns this past season while OU went 10-3 and finished the year with a 31-14 victory over Iowa in the Insight Bowl.
Jones threw for 161 yards — the lowest passing total in any of his 37 career starts — in the game. The performance mirrored a season-ending slump for Jones. He only threw two touchdown passes against six interceptions in OU’s final four games. The slump coincided with the season-ending knee injury suffered by All-American wide receiver Ryan Broyles.
Jones said repeatedly that he expected to make his decision very near the Jan. 15 deadline for underclassmen to declare for the 2012 NFL draft. His decision, however, was made eight days prior.
“That’s the ultimate goal for anyone who plays football,” Jones said. “I’ve thought about that since I was a little boy. It would be a great honor to play in the NFL and that goal will still be there when I finish at Oklahoma.”
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
