Oklahoma got one bit of very good news Monday night. Defensive tackle Gerald McCoy told The Transcript at the OU-Texas basketball game he would return for his junior season.

“Me and my pop talked about it yesterday and we just decided that I needed to stick around for another year,” he said.

McCoy, a third-year sophomore this past season, was a second-team All-American and considered one of the best defensive tackles eligible for the NFL draft.

He said he received a “high draft” grade from NFL draft advisory board and seriously considered making the leap.

“It crossed my mind,” he said. “But I sat down and really thought it over with my family,” he said.

The Oklahoma City native made 30 tackles this past season with 11 going for losses and 61⁄2 sacks. He also intercepted a pass in the BCS national championship game.

His decision to return is a huge boost to the Sooner defensive. He is one of nine starters expected to return.

Underclassmen have until Thursday to decide if they will forgo their college eligibility and enter the NFL draft. Quarterback Sam Bradford, tight end Jermaine Gresham and offensive tackle Trent Williams have not made their decisions public.

McCoy said he didn’t know what direction any of them were leaning.

“We’ll just have to wait and see,” he said.