STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck has decided to stay in college to get his degree instead of immediately cashing in on the riches of being the likely No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
Luck announced his decision Thursday, more than a week before the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft. Luck, who sat out his first year as a redshirt, has two years of eligibility remaining but is on track to graduate next spring.
“I am committed to earning my degree in architectural design from Stanford University and am on track to accomplish this at the completion of the spring quarter of 2012,” Luck said in a statement issued through the school.
It’s unclear whether Luck’s decision to stay in school will impact coach Jim Harbaugh’s decision whether to leave for an NFL job this year. If Harbaugh does leave Stanford, the opportunity to coach Luck next season likely will make Stanford a plum job.
Luck was the runner-up this season to Auburn’s Cam Newton for the Heisman Trophy and will be one of the favorites for next year’s award.