OU's Trey Millard OK with decision to return for senior year
BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Friday, March 15, 2013
3/15/13 at 5:58 AM
NORMAN - Oklahoma's Trey Millard has had no second thoughts on his decision to return for his senior season.
The All-Big 12 first-team selection announced his intention shortly after the Sooners' disappointing 41-13 loss to Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.
"Whenever I made my decision, it was stuck right then," Millard said. "You've gotta live with the decisions you make. That was my choice, and I did it by myself. So I'm confident with it."
The fullback is one of the team leaders going through the Sooners' spring drills. OU had a Thursday workout and now gets 10 days off for spring break.
Millard will be an important piece in the Sooners' offensive arsenal. He averaged 6 yards per carry and 11.2 yards per reception in 2012. Against Texas, the Columbia, Mo., native finished with a career-high 156 receiving yards, including a highlight-reel 73-yard reception.
The 6-foot-2, 259-pounder expects more from himself in 2013.
"That's part of the reason I came back, to get better as a football player," Millard said. "Expectations for myself are always high."
Millard said he made his decision on an OU return about a week before the Jan. 4 bowl game against the Aggies.
Is he concerned that he can't improve his NFL Draft stock much more?
"A little bit, just with that perception that (a fullback is) not necessarily going to go first round, so if you are going to make a lot of money at the next level, it's going to be by your second contract if you're playing a long time," Millard said.
"I think both the things that helped me to do those things would be to come back and continue to get better as a football player."
The senior-to-be said he was reenergized putting on full pads during Tuesday's practice.
"I'm not having any shoulder issues or anything like that, coming out feeling really healthy is also a great feeling out there," Millard said. "I think it being my last go-round, there's definitely that adding motivation in practices."
With the amount of turnover - especially at the quarterback position and with three new coaches - Millard said things are different in his final spring.
"There's new faces and coaches (which) kind of gives it a different feel," Millard said. "We're still learning guys and that type of thing.
"I think a lot of guys are fighting for the respect of the new coaches and fighting for jobs in general already."
Original Print Headline: Millard OK with decision
Eric Bailey 918-581-8391
eric.bailey@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Oklahoma's Trey Millard said he's confident with his decision to return for his senior season. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World file
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