Carl Pendleton always knew he wanted more from life than football. On schedule to graduate with a sociology degree in December, he had to decide where football fit.

The redshirt junior defensive tackle decided this season will be his last in an Oklahoma uniform.

“I’m at a different area in my life and I’ve kind of grown up a little bit and seen that there are other things,” he said.

Like caring for his 10-year old brother, Kierstan, while their parents sort through a divorce. There’s also the incredible amount of volunteer work he has done since becoming a Sooner in 2003.

“Carl has a lot on his plate and a great future ahead of him,” OU coach Bob Stoops said. “We say it a lot to our guys, ‘It comes and goes and (football) isn’t the end of the world.’”

Pendleton’s world got a lot better Thursday when it was announced he will receive one of only nine $18,000 Scholar-Athlete Post-Graduate Scholarships from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame awarded to players on the Division I-A level.

Carrying a 3.86 grade-point-average with a minor in religious studies, Pendleton will be honored with other scholarship recipients at the 49th Annual Awards Dinner, a black-tie affair at New York’s Waldorf Astoria, on Dec. 5.

Pendleton said receiving the scholarship made his decision to let football go easier.

“I knew I wasn’t going to the NFL, but I knew it was the right decision,” he said. “I prayed about it a lot and I thought this was the right decision. When the scholarship came in, it was kind of confirmation.”

He will now be able to vacate his football scholarship after he graduates in December. Then move to graduate school and spend more time with his brother, who moved in with him last summer.

“The ability to take care of school and spend more time with Kierstan is really a big thing,” he said. “I think he was more excited than I was. He was dancing around saying, ‘Isn’t that like 18-grand?’ So, yes, it’s big.”

Pendleton plans to get a masters degree in education and possibly attend seminary.  

“I know I’ll stick around here a little bit longer,” he said. “I know this guy (Kierstan) likes being in Norman and I’ll be able to stay here and let him go to school.”

Stoops doesn’t have any doubts Pendleton will do fine in whatever path he chooses.

“Carl has a great future in front of him and he’ll go pursue it next year,” he said. “We’re all for him whatever he wants to do. He’s ready for it and he’ll do a great job with whatever he does in the future. “