Landry Jones talks Oklahoma Sooners football - Orlando Sentinel

10:26 a.m. EST, May 2, 2012|By Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel

Landry Jones has set passing marks, won conference titles and broken multiple school records but a national championship has eluded the Oklahoma quarterback.

“There is still that thing out there that we’ve been chasing around this place for awhile which is that national championship,” Jones told me by telephone earlier this spring.

Jones returns for his senior year and another chance to lead the Sooners to a national title.

We discussed his spring, his thoughts on 2011 as well as what game he is most looking forward to playing in 2012.

On what he has been working on this spring.

LJ: “I think for me, just playing quicker inside the pocket. Things along those lines and then obviously getting inside the offense and learning the offense a little bit better than you already have.”

On being more of a coach on the field during practice.

LJ: “You’ve always usually done that with receivers and the guys that you’re really throwing to. You’re just trying to get on the same page so really getting with those guys and just trying to get on the same page with the receivers is a big thing during spring ball.”

On looking back at 2011.

LJ: “Good season. Always thankful that we won 10 games and got to go to the Insight Bowl but there is still that thing out there that we’ve been chasing around this place for awhile which is that national championship. We didn’t get to get to our goal but that’s what the offseason is for and what this winter workout and spring ball is for to try and polish up the things we didn’t get done last year.”

On losing All-American wide receiver Ryan Broyles last year.

LJ: “He’s an All-American guy. It’s tough losing a player like that but we’ve got guys around this place that are going to play some really good football. Ryan was a great guy, a good positive role model for those guys to look up to in that locker room.”

On why he chose to come back to Oklahoma for his senior season.

LJ: “I considered about leaving. There were a lot more different factors for me to consider than just staying or going. I took a couple of weeks after the season was over to really think about what I wanted to do and what would be best for me and my family. Just praying about it and really feeling like God was wanting me to come back for my senior year and enjoy it and have another chance at some goals I wanted to accomplish here.”

On the possibility of becoming the winningest quarterback in Oklahoma history.

LJ: “I think for me, those things are something that I would look at later on in my career. For me, it’s more about having another chance at a national title run, being an All-American and doing those things that I didn’t get a chance to do last year. I think that’s what kind of drives me towards this year. Just spending more time with my teammates and being with this team for another year.”

On Heisman Trophy buzz.

LJ: “Yeah, those things are driving factors. It’s a huge honor to just be in the talk or in the mix.”

On if there is a game he is most looking forward to this season.

LJ: “The West Virginia game is going to be a fun game because I’ve never played them and I’ve never been to West Virginia. So it will be a fun atmosphere to get to go down there and play those guys.”

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