Ohio State QB Cardale Jones is staying in school

Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones announced Thursday that he’s staying at Ohio State for another season citing his desire to graduate.

“It’s everybody’s dream when they play a collegiate sport to make it to the next level,” Jones said. “At my point in my career, I feel like it’s best for me to go back to school and one of the most important things for me is to graduate. So, when I make that decision to play in the NFL, I want to be done with school. I want to devote all my time and all my effort into the film room and getting better at the quarterback position.

“The NFL, after three games, was really out of the question for me.”

Jones’ meteoric rise has been unprecedented.

He spent the past two seasons as the third-string quarterback, but found himself on the field after injuries to starters Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett forced him into action.

And Jones made the most of his opportunities.

He led Ohio State to a Big Ten championship win against Wisconsin, a College Football Playoff semifinal win against Alabama and a 42-20 national championship win against Oregon earlier this week.

During that three-game span as a starter, Jones completed 46 of 75 passes for 742 yards and five touchdowns and two interceptions.

"Cardale's brand right now has never been stronger, might never be stronger again in his life," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said on Tuesday.

Jones said Tuesday he didn’t think he was ready for the NFL after just three starts, but his prospects of getting on the field for the Buckeyes in 2015 are slim. Miller, who is expected to be back from his shoulder injury, was the Heisman favorite heading into the 2014 season before his injury. Barrett, who will spend the spring rehabbing the broken ankle he suffered in the Buckeyes final regular season game, finished fifth in Heisman voting this year.

However, Jones said he’s eager to compete for the starting role and that if he doesn’t win it, he said he’ll be ready for his next opportunity. Currently, it's unclear whether Miller will return to the Buckeyes. He's already graduated and could transfer and play for another program next season.Jones, who is listed at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, showed amazing arm strength during his three starts and remarked while meeting with the media during national championship week that he could throw the ball 80 to 85 yards. He also showed tremendous speed, agility and power for his size. He rushed for 81 yards against Alabama and Oregon and several of those yards came after initial contact.

While NFL scouts didn’t have a lot of film on Jones, some pundits though he could have been a first-round pick.

“I thought it all through, but chances are slim,” Jones said of actually being taking in the first round. “Football has been a stepping stone for my education. So being a first-round draft pick means nothing to me without my education.”