Oher calls reverse, will return to Mississippi for senior season

1/16/2008 6:33 PM

By CHRIS TALBOTT
Associated Press Writer

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) -Mississippi tackle Michael Oher changed his mind and decided to return to school for his senior season, two days after making himself eligible for the NFL draft.

The deadline for underclassmen to declare for the draft was Tuesday, but then they're given three days to change their minds, as long as they don't sign with an agent.

Oher, a junior, has been projected as a possible first- or second-round pick.

``While I felt good about being projected as a possible first-round pick and had everybody in my corner, it just kept coming back to me that I was leaving some unfinished business at Ole Miss,'' Oher said Wednesday in a statement. ``It's really about winning more games and going to a bowl game. I wanted to be a part of making that happen.''

Oher was traveling Wednesday and was expected to talk with media following the basketball game between Florida and No. 18 Ole Miss. Oher's father, Sean Tuohy, did not return a phone message Wednesday afternoon.

The 6-foot-5, 325-pound Memphis, Tenn., native was an all-Southeastern Conference first-team selection this year at left tackle and helped running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis to two straight 1,000-yard seasons. He has started 34 straight games for the Rebels in three seasons.

``I was excited when Michael called to say he's decided to return to Ole Miss for his senior season,'' Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. ``Michael told me he wanted to make a commitment to his academics and to football and be the very best football player he can be. It's good to have him back in the Ole Miss family.''

Oher's rise from homeless teen to can't-miss left tackle prospect was chronicled in Michael Lewis' best-selling book, ``The Blind Side.''