OKLAHOMA NCAA grants Jason White another year of eligibility

The Heisman Trophy winner plans on coming back for his sixth season.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Heisman Trophy winner Jason White has been granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA and will return to Oklahoma next season.
White, whose previous two seasons were cut short by knee injuries, surprised his team with the announcement during a team huddle at the end of practice.
"Anyone who has played college football will understand (my decision)," White said. "I had been leaning this way and just decided today that I am sure this is what I want to do. I really look forward to another year at Oklahoma."
White, listed as a senior, had shrugged off questions all year about whether he would return to Oklahoma for a sixth season or enter the upcoming NFL draft.
Made announcement Friday
He repeatedly said he wouldn't reveal his decision until the end of the season, but changed his mind after getting the NCAA's approval Friday and consulting with his parents and coach Bob Stoops over the past two weeks.
"I talked with my parents and coaches and decided this is what I wanted to do," he said.
The Sooners' will face No. 2 LSU on Jan. 4 in the Sugar Bowl for the Bowl Championship Series' national championship.
White is hoping to become the third quarterback to win the Heisman and the national title in the same season, joining Florida State's Charlie Ward (1993) and Florida's Danny Wuerffel (1996).
Recent Heisman-winning quarterbacks haven't fared as well, with Florida State's Chris Weinke (2000) and Nebraska's Eric Crouch (2001) following up their Heisman wins with subpar title-game performances.
Eyes second Heisman
If he can't do it this season, though, he'll have a pretty good chance next year. White also has a chance to join Ohio State's Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman winners.
With White returning, Oklahoma will welcome back all but one starter from its record-setting offense -- the Sooners scored a school-record 587 points this season and led the nation in points per game (45.1).