Jones, Ball to return to school

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Associated Press

NORMAN, Okla. — Quarterback Landry Jones has decided to come back for his senior year at Oklahoma, saying “there is still a lot more to do.”

Jones said Thursday that it would be a great honor to play in the NFL, but with most of the offensive line, several receivers and defensive players returning, the team hopes to get another shot at a national championship.

Jones is the Sooners’ all-time leading passer with 12,389 yards.

Coach Bob Stoops said Jones has had a positive influence on and off the field with his teammates and he’s pleased with Jones’ decision. Oklahoma finished the 2011 season at 10-3.

Sooners defensive end Ronnell Lewis, meanwhile, said he plans to skip his senior year and enter the NFL draft.

Lewis had 60 tackles in 10 games, including 13 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. Over the past three seasons, he’s played in 34 games and collected 119 tackles and 10 sacks. He missed the last three games of the season because of a sprained ligament in his left knee.

— Wisconsin running back Montee Ball is coming back for his senior season. Ball told reporters that NFL evaluators informed him he would likely be a third-round draft pick and he thinks he can improve his stock. He scored 39 touchdowns this season, tying Barry Sanders’ NCAA record.

— South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery is giving up his senior season for the NFL. The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Jeffery set the school record with 3,042 yards receiving over three seasons and capped his career as the Capital One Bowl MVP in the Gamecocks’ 30-13 victory over Nebraska.

— Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy has decided to skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. The 310-pound junior, a first team Associated Press All-American this season, said it was the right time to leave following the 33-30 triple-overtime win over Georgia in the Outback Bowl.

Associated Press

NORMAN, Okla. — Quarterback Landry Jones has decided to come back for his senior year at Oklahoma, saying “there is still a lot more to do.”

Jones said Thursday that it would be a great honor to play in the NFL, but with most of the offensive line, several receivers and defensive players returning, the team hopes to get another shot at a national championship.

Jones is the Sooners’ all-time leading passer with 12,389 yards.

Coach Bob Stoops said Jones has had a positive influence on and off the field with his teammates and he’s pleased with Jones’ decision. Oklahoma finished the 2011 season at 10-3.

Sooners defensive end Ronnell Lewis, meanwhile, said he plans to skip his senior year and enter the NFL draft.

Lewis had 60 tackles in 10 games, including 13 for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. Over the past three seasons, he’s played in 34 games and collected 119 tackles and 10 sacks. He missed the last three games of the season because of a sprained ligament in his left knee.

— Wisconsin running back Montee Ball is coming back for his senior season. Ball told reporters that NFL evaluators informed him he would likely be a third-round draft pick and he thinks he can improve his stock. He scored 39 touchdowns this season, tying Barry Sanders’ NCAA record.

— South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery is giving up his senior season for the NFL. The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Jeffery set the school record with 3,042 yards receiving over three seasons and capped his career as the Capital One Bowl MVP in the Gamecocks’ 30-13 victory over Nebraska.

— Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy has decided to skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. The 310-pound junior, a first team Associated Press All-American this season, said it was the right time to leave following the 33-30 triple-overtime win over Georgia in the Outback Bowl.