If whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, then Oklahoma has added some muscle that should pay off in the future.

The future basically started a few minutes after Thursday's 31-27 victory over Stanford in the Sun Bowl.

OU coach Bob Stoops was already thinking the injuries that depleted the depth chart throughout the season sped up the growth for the 2010.

Nothing symbolized that more than the performance of quarterback Landry Jones.

Many saw the Sun Bowl as a referendum on the redshirt freshman. He didn't have the smooth transition from bench warmer to starter that Sam Bradford did. Then again, how could he?

Bradford won the starting job in practice. Jones had it dropped on him when Bradford crashed on his right shoulder in the season opener against BYU.

Four months later, he threw for 418 yards and led OU to its first bowl victory since 2005.

"I could just see a big progression just for the way I see things out there. When I first went in against BYU it felt like things were going 100 miles an hour and it was hard to see some coverages," he said. "But I've been able to play in a couple games since then and the game has slowed down some."

No starting job is a guaranteed for anyone, but Jones went a long way toward solidifying himself as the Sooners quarterback of the future.

The offensive growing pains, which included a rash of penalties and turnovers, were typical of a young unit. If the miscues are trimmed, the Sooners could be very explosive next season.

"We needed some positive energy and now we can take this into recruiting in a great way and get us back in contention for the Big 12 South next year," offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.

They must replace four seniors (offensive linemen Trent Williams and Brian Simmons, running back Chris Brown and fullback Matt Clapp), but the bulk should be back.

Obviously, OU's offensive line will need to improve. OU's trying to address that in recruiting.

The biggest question OU has to answer is how many underclassmen will decide to enter the NFL draft. Bradford and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy have already announced they're turning pro.

Cornerback Dominique Franks and wide receiver Ryan Broyles have both said publicly they will return, but nothing is official.

Defensive end Jeremy Beal, linebacker Travis Lewis and running back DeMarco Murray are all contemplating leaving early. If those three stay, it would be an enormous lift to OU.

Murray had his rushing numbers dropped while running behind a patched-together offensive line, but still finished with 1,227 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns.

Beal has been one of the best defensive linemen of the Stoops era. He led OU with 11 sacks this year and has been a dominant player the past two seasons.

Lewis, who is a redshirt sophomore, led OU in tackles for the second straight season.

OU really needs its junior to return on the defensive side. Defensive end Auston English, linebackers Ryan Reynolds and Keenan Clayton and cornerback Brian Jackson were all seniors. If several of the juniors take off, OU could be in a defensive rebuilding mode next season. If not, OU could be dominant again next season.

What happens over the next month will tell the tale. The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft is Jan. 15.

National Signing Day is Feb. 3. OU already has 26 commitments. ESPN.com ranks the class at No. 8. Rivals.com currently has the Sooners at No. 4. Scout.com has OU with the No. 1 recruiting class.

Coaches and players have said there's a strong feeling better things are coming. Being able to end 2009 on a positive note helped. Keeping some talented underclassmen around and adding a very strong recruiting class would also help.

"I think we've gained a little bit of momentum," defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "That's good for our guys. They've earned it."

John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com