Oregon QB Marcus Mariota will return next season

Marcus Mariota has thrown for 3,412 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images) The University of Oregon has announced that QB Marcus

Marcus Mariota has thrown for 3,412 yards and 30 touchdowns this season. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The University of Oregon has announced that QB Marcus Mariota will return to the football team next year.

In a statement released on Instagram, the Ducks announced that both Mariota and all-Pac-12 center Hroniss Grasu will return to the team next season.

Many expected Mariota, a redshirt sophomore and Heisman hopeful, to head for the NFL after a standout season with the Ducks. SI.com's Chris Burke had Mariota going second in his latest NFL Mock Draft.

But Mariota has decided to stay with the team and try for a BCS championship in 2014.