Beeler, a 2005 Tulsa World All-State offensive lineman from Jenks, informed coach Bob Stoops on Monday. Although undersized at around 275 pounds, Beeler was the Sooners' primary backup at center.

"Chase wants to concentrate on his academic interests," Stoops said. "He just decided that he did not want to play anymore. We respect his decision. We're all for Chase. He was a good, strong student-athlete while he was with our program and we wish him the best."

Calls to Beeler's home and family cell phones were not returned.

Beeler in 2006 wavered between OU and Stanford before signing with the Sooners.

"I'm a little schizophrenic when it comes to this," he said then. "Some days I'll wake up and think, 'Oh yeah, this is the place for me,' or I'll hear some snippet of information that seems to cause me to make my choice, and then the next day I'll hear something else."

Sources said Tuesday that Beeler wanted to focus on other areas of his life, instead of being consumed by the demands of major college football. A source said Beeler intended to keep open his football options at academic benchmarks like Stanford, Harvard and Princeton.

OU signed seven linemen in the 2006 class, and Beeler is the third one to leave the program, joining Curtis Bailey (injury) and Ada's Chad Roark (transferred to Nebraska, then quit there).

Beeler started against Middle Tennessee last season when starter Jon Cooper was out with an injury.

Offensive line coach James Patton was asked Monday about Beeler's progress.

"Chase needs to keep his weight up. He's at about 270." Patton said. "He had a great summer. He's in great shape. He's doing good, he just needs that lead in his pencil a little."

Patton said he had been using Beeler at both center and guard in preseason camp.

Beeler played five games behind Cooper as a freshman last year.

Beeler was a first-team all-state lineman at Jenks and was also a National Merit semifinalist. He said he chose to attend OU in part to enhance a potential career in politics.