NORMAN, Okla. — Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford wasn't ready to give up the life of a college quarterback — not without a national championship.

The third-year sophomore quarterback will return to Oklahoma next season, passing on a chance to be a high NFL draft pick.

"I've dreamed about playing at Oklahoma since I was little, and my three years here have been probably three of the best years of my life, and I really feel that there's no need to cut this experience short," Bradford said yesterday at a news conference.

"I'm really looking forward to coming back and competing for a fourth straight Big 12 championship and another opportunity at a national championship."

His return also means another shot at a Heisman Trophy. Archie Griffin of Ohio State is the only player to win two Heismans. Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, the 2007 winner, finished third behind Bradford in the Heisman voting this season.

For the first time, the top-three vote-getters for the Heisman Trophy will return to college football. Tebow announced his intentions Sunday and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy said he'd be back for his senior season long before the Longhorns won the Fiesta Bowl.

Bradford led the nation with 50 touchdown passes and a quarterback rating of 180.8. He likely would have been one of the first quarterbacks taken in April's draft.

Instead, Bradford will take another run at a national championship with Oklahoma. The record-breaking quarterback led the Sooners to the BCS championship game this season, but they lost 24-14 to Florida.