Stokes to Stay at UCLA After Considering Move

A day after losing its top defensive player, linebacker Jamir Miller, who is leaving school to make himself available for the NFL draft, UCLA learned that its No. 1 offensive threat, J.J. Stokes, would be back for his senior season.

Stokes, who set Bruin receiving records with 82 catches for 1,181 yards and 17 touchdowns, told Coach Terry Donahue on Wednesday that he had decided to stay in school.

“It has never been a question in my mind that I would be staying at UCLA,” said Stokes, though he had said earlier in the day that he had not made a decision regarding the issue. “I am looking forward to playing another year of college football and helping us get back to the Rose Bowl. A lot of people said I should leave, but I have to do what I want to do and I want to stay at UCLA.”

Stokes had said at midseason that his parents wanted him to complete his education before going on to pro football. But in the weeks between the regular season and the Rose Bowl, time in which he was chosen as an All-American and was under pressure from agents to turn pro, he said that he was pondering the move, but had not made up his mind.

“I really didn’t think he was going to go,” said quarterback Wayne Cook, who threw 15 of his 18 touchdown passes to Stokes. “After the Rose Bowl, he told me, ‘We’ll be back here next year and win this thing,’ so I kind of figured he was staying. But it’s good news to hear he has decided.”

UCLA lost to Wisconsin, 21-16, in the Rose Bowl game. Stokes set Rose Bowl records with 14 catches for 176 yards, giving him the top three games in Bruin history for receiving yards.

Stokes’ continued presence at UCLA was welcomed by Donahue. “I have said all year that he is an impact player, and he certainly has to be considered one of the top offensive players in the nation next year,” he said.