Report: Travis Lewis and Ryan Broyles returning to Oklahoma

by Dan Kadar on Jan 5, 2011 2:58 PM EST in 2011 NFL Draft

Word is quickly spreading to various locations online that Oklahoma juniors Travis Lewis and Ryan Broyles are returning for their senior seasons.

The news first broke on Sooners website LandThieves.com which saw the below on Lewis' Facebook page:

Lewis, an outside linebacker, has been thought to be considering the NFL the past two seasons. It's for good reason. Lewis is a rangy linebacker and the leader of Oklahoma's defense. His play slid some this year as he finished with 99 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The 2012 draft looks heavy on outside linebackers and Lewis should be near the top of the rankings.

It's slightly more surprising that Broyles is also likely staying in school. As a junior he had 131 receptions for 1,622 yards and 14 touchdowns. As a smaller wide receiver, it's hard to see how he'll be able to increase his stock next season.He's not going to improve his deep speed or ability to shoulder off defenders.

Still, it's always commendable to see a player return to school.

Sooners fans have plenty of reason to remain wary until the deadline passes for players to enter the draft. Last season defensive back Dominique Franks announced he was returning to Oklahoma before ultimately changing his mind. Franks was selected in the fifth round of the 2010 draft.

As it stands, Oklahoma should enter next college football season perhaps as national title favorites.

Update: Here is the official release from OU regarding Lewis.

"I'm coming back to win a national championship, point blank. Anything else would be a disappointment. That is the main goal. This is a program built on a tradition of championships and I intend on being here for another one. I woke up this morning and realized I had made my decision that I was coming back. I don't want to give up being a Sooner yet. I'm having too much fun as one and this is an amazing place to be."

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I hate when kids stay

It’s stupid and it’s just more evidence of the man trying to keep a guy down. The NCAA doesn’t really care about any of their athletes and neither do the schools except in very rare circumstances. As to the decisions. Ryan Broyles, I can see him staying. I would typically only advise students to leave unless they aren’t going to improve their stock. Broyles is probably behind Blackmon, Green, and Jones at the very least, and he’s probably going to fall into the second. Next year he has a chance at going in the first.

by Omar Little on Jan 5, 2011 3:51 PM EST reply actions

Why do you hate when kids stay?

It’s not the man trying to keep a guy down. It’s Broyles’ choice.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Jan 6, 2011 2:00 AM EST up reply actions

really surprised. QBs should stay and develope. other positions should normally go. I still respect them for staying.

thing about Broyles is he is a different type of WR than all the rest. He is likely the #1 slot candidate, all the others are the big outside guys…..so even though on paper at least 6 WRs are better than him, I am not sure he would be competing with them on some teams boards.

by durst on Jan 5, 2011 4:01 PM EST reply actions

I think their looking to go higher with the idea of this OU team should be a title contender. Lewis was a late 1st for me and Broyles was late 2nd for me.

Both should be 1st rounders in 2012 if this is correct.

by Montell on Jan 5, 2011 4:11 PM EST reply actions

And this team has just become my #1 team next year

unless Newton stays or Oregon wins

by DBroncs1414 on Jan 5, 2011 4:28 PM EST reply actions

Easily.

Oklahoma is gonna be so loaded next year it’s not even funny.

And by virtue of DeMarco Murray (subtracting a negative = a positive) leaving the running game will receive a massive boost esp. with a guy like Finch who actually knows how to pick up more than 2 yards on a run.

Brett Anderson is the Truth. Brett Anderson is divine presence. Brett Anderson is eternal life. Brett Anderson is within you. Brett Anderson is here. Brett Anderson is Now.

by Frederick0220 on Jan 6, 2011 2:03 AM EST up reply actions

I see why they would

If they can improve drastically or had a bed/injury year or even if its a crowded yr for their position….the whole “i wanna win a championship” talk is really a long shot unless the majority of your team stays with you. For someone like luck is stupid..he can get better then the #1 overall, his team wont be as good especially since his coach is leaving, he is the best qb this year (thanks to locker) so i dnt get it. He might not wanna play for the panthers but the last place team nxt yr probably wont be better (might even be the panthers again) so i see why lewis is doing it andmayb even broyles but if luck stays back then he will be doomed…you cant improve on the “best to ever play the position in years” title thats jus stupidity.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Jan 5, 2011 5:21 PM EST reply actions

bastard!

Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows

by Rorschach44 on Jan 5, 2011 8:05 PM EST reply actions

Re: Travis returning...

Most likely the idea of putting a beatdown on Texas again was too much to pass up. The way he looked after the game this past October you’d have thought they had just won the National Championship, because he was looking like he was lovin it.

by CFB_fan on Jan 6, 2011 6:50 PM EST reply actions