ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Griffin

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford's announcement that he will have season-ending shoulder surgery is not a surprise.

	Doug Benc/Getty Images
	Sam Bradford has decided to have surgery on his injured right shoulder.

As a matter of fact, it's a little surprising it took more than a week from his injury against Texas Oct. 17 to where he now will have the surgery.

The surgery will be performed by Dr. James Andrews Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala.

Bradford's reason for returning to school for his junior season after winning the Heisman Trophy last season remain solid. It's unfortunate for him and for college football that he didn't receive more of an opportunity to play this season before injuries set back his season.

"I dreamed about coming to Oklahoma my whole life," Bradford said in a statement. "That's the reason I came back for this season. And I came back to play and not sit on the bench. That's the reason I tried to play after the injury. I'm very disappointed that it didn't work out differently."

Under the circumstances, Bradford handled things properly in trying to play this season.

The rehabilitation time is expected to take four to six months. That would give him adequate time to prepare for the NFL draft, which he said he plans to enter next spring.

"I'll be up for the challenge," Bradford said.

It means that Landry Jones will inherit the starting position for the remaining five games of the season for the 4-3 Sooners.

"We want Sam to pursue the best option for his recovery and future," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "We obviously feel this is best for his long-range future."

Bradford's place in history will remain secure. He is the second quarterback in school history to win a Heisman Trophy, and the only quarterback in Big 12 history to lead his team to back-to-back conference championships.

He'll go down as one of the greatest players in Oklahoma football history.