SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Andrew Luck, who was expected to be the top pick in the 2011 NFL draft, has decided to return to school for another year, the Stanford University quarterback said on Thursday.
"I am committed to earning my degree ... and am on track to accomplish this at the completion of the spring quarter of 2012," Luck said in a statement.
The Heisman Trophy runner-up led the Stanford Cardinal to a school-record 12 wins in 13 games and capped the season with a dominating performance in the Orange Bowl, throwing for 287 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-12 win over Virginia Tech.
The Carolina Panthers secured the first pick at the draft on April 28 after finishing the NFL season with a league-worst 2-14 record.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina. Editing by Frank Pingue)
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