Stanford Football: Post-Jim Harbaugh Andrew Luck, Anything To Gain This Season?

Andrew Luck shocked the football world in January when he announced he would not enter the NFL draft, where the consensus opinion was that Luck would be selected No. 1 overall. This decision was also made despite reported possible rookie salary caps in the NFL that could cost Luck millions to stay another season in college.

There has been plenty of head scratching and postulating on why Luck would return to Stanford, especially with the departure of head coach Jim Harbaugh to the NFL to take over the San Francisco 49ers.

Maybe Andrew Luck is just one of those rare, special people for whom money is not a first consideration. Maybe he has the confidence in himself to succeed in anything he chooses to do in life, whether it be football or something else entirely.

According to ESPN’s Ted Miller, Andrew’s father, Oliver Luck, was quoted as saying, "This is a win-win for him. He gets to spend another year at Stanford, be part of a team that will be highly ranked again next year, finish his degree and enjoy Palo Alto.

"It's not like the NFL is going anywhere, it's one of the best run leagues in the world. It will still be there when he graduates."

One thing is for sure, Stanford and new head coach David Shaw are thrilled with Luck’s decision.

Luck did lose some weapons around him from last season, but still has a strong offensive line to work behind. Luck is one of those quarterbacks that makes receivers look great—not the other way around—so he will be sure to have plenty of targets to throw to this year.

Finishing second in voting last year, should Stanford have a successful season and Luck keep his numbers at an even level with what he’s done, he should be thick in the Heisman talk again this season. It is extremely doubtful that an individual award had any impact on Luck’s decision to stay, but it could be icing on the cake.

Regardless, look for Andrew Luck to have another great season this year at Stanford. This season is just going to give Luck more experience and make him an even better quarterback to come into the NFL and make an immediate impact.