Tulsa World: McCoy's return to bolster OU defense

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McCoy's return to bolster OU defense

Gerald McCoy, shown sacking Kansas State's Josh Freeman, says he'll return to OU next year. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 1/13/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 1/13/2009 3:49 AM

NORMAN — Gerald McCoy made his way through the Lloyd Noble Center crowd Monday night like he owned the place, smiling at some fans, waving at others and hugging still more.

Obviously, word had gotten out — McCoy was returning to the Oklahoma Sooners for his junior season.

"Me and my pop talked about it yesterday," he said at halftime of the OU-Texas basketball game. "We just decided that I needed to stick around for another year."

McCoy said he would return at Media Day for the BCS national championship Jan. 4. When asked about his future after OU's 24-14 loss to Florida, however, he wasn't so sure.

"It crossed my mind," McCoy admitted Monday when asked about leaving OU early. "But I sat down and really thought it over with my family."

McCoy indicated he received a "high grade" from the NFL Draft advisory committee when he sent game tape for evaluation. But he also got enough feedback to indicate it would be wise to return in 2009.

McCoy's return gives OU's defense a big leg up on the 2009 season. He is the Sooners' most destructive defensive lineman, with the ability to both draw and beat double teams and find his way into the opposing backfield. Ten of his 26 tackles went for lost yardage, and he accumulated 6 1/2 sacks.

McCoy spent much of the BCS championship at defensive end in a shifted D-line. He wound up with four tackles, including one of running back Jeff Demps that lost 4 yards, pressured Tim Tebow a couple times, and even dropped back on a zone blitz and made his first career interception.

With McCoy in the fold, it's very likely the Sooners will return nine of their 11 defensive starters, including all seven of their D-linemen and linebackers.

The Sooners are still waiting on the decision of underclassmen such as Sam Bradford, Jermaine Gresham and Trent Williams. Asked if he knew anything about those teammates, McCoy shook his head, smiled and said, "We'll just have to wait and see."

Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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