Andrew Luck Returning to Stanford: How Does It Affect the 2011 NFL Draft?

Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who was favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, has decided to return to Stanford for another year.

Luck will return to school and play in his redshirt junior season, and has also stated that he is committed to earning his degree at Stanford University.

Luck's father, Oliver Luck, former NFL quarterback, has stated that it is a win-win situation for his son. Oliver Luck stated that his son gets to return to Stanford and will be highly ranked next season as well.

According to Andrew's father, the National Football League is not going anywhere and it will certainly be there when he graduates from Stanford.

From Luck's decision, we move on to April's draft.

The Carolina Panthers possess the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and had their eyes set on the Stanford quarterback.

Now the question is: What will they do?

Will they take the second highest rated quarterback behind Luck? Or will they stick it out with Jimmy Clausen and see where that takes them.

Luck returning to Stanford certainly affects the stock of the rest in the quarterbacks in the draft.

Ryan Mallett, Jake Locker, Cameron Newton and Blaine Gabbert might all be picked higher than they originally would have if Luck was entering the draft.

Does this mean that one of these quarterbacks can move up to the No. 1 pick in the draft?

After Luck's performance in the Orange Bowl, Luck was all but guaranteed to go No. 1.

Stanford must be happy that Luck is returning, but they are still awaiting word if Jim Harbaugh will be back or not.