Former NSR Prospect One of America’s Top College Signal CallersOklahoma Sooner quarterback and former NSR prospect, Landry Jones, is featured in the 2011 edition of Lindy’s Sports 2011 football preview as a top Heisman Trophy candidate. The highly regarded magazine puts Landry second in the running behind Heisman favorite, Andrew Luck of Stanford. The Lindy’s article describes the trials which the Artesia, NM, native endured during his freshman year (2008) in Norman when he enrolled early in the spring during what would have been his final three months of high school. With no other early entrants on the team, he had no friends or admirers, something he was unaccustomed to as a star high school QB. Then, to make matters more dire, he was redshirted following summer practice by Head Coach Bob Stoops.
The following season as a redshirt freshman, Landry was tossed into the briar patch when returning Heisman winner, Sam Bradford, suffered a debilitating shoulder injury. He did an admirable job in Bradford’s stead, but he continued to doubt his place in the Sooners’ future. All his misgivings, though, were laid to rest last year when Landry had a breakout season as the Sooners’ fulltime starter throwing for nearly 5,000 yards. This pre-season he is front and center on the Sooner 2011 poster and schedule cards and he is looking forward to a great and challenging season.
Yet, following in the footsteps of not only Bradford but also OU Heisman 2003 winner, Jason White, and 2000 second place finisher, Josh Heupel, current Sooners QB coach, can play with your head. Landry deals better with those pressures now that he has experienced an entire season leading the team and a 12-2 record and the Big 12 Conference crown. This year there’s more pressure still as most media outlets, including Lindy’s, are picking the Sooners to take the BCS Championship with an unblemished record. But, we’re thinking that when Landry’s day arrives, he will be ready.
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