BATON ROUGE — LSU defensive end Marcus Spears has decided to return for his senior season, while quarterback Matt Mauck has opted to make himself eligible for the NFL draft, it was announced at a press conference at the school on Tuesday.
Spears, a Baton Rouge native, earned First Team All-Southeastern Conference honors this year after starting all 14 games for the nation’s top-ranked defense. Spears, who recorded 49 tackles and six sacks this season, scored the game-winning points in LSU’s 21-14 win over Oklahoma in the national championship game with a 20-yard interception return in the third quarter.
“It’s been a long process,” Spears said. “We had a great season this year, and there’s pretty much not much a college athlete could ask for other than winning the national championship and being a key part on the team. I just feel like there are still great things going on around here. I made a four-year commitment, and I’m going to stick to that. I’ll be back next season to play for LSU.”
Spears earned a spot on Sports Illustrated’s All-Bowl team after leading the Tigers with two tackles, including a sack for a 3-yard loss and the interception return for a TD. Spears played a key role in holding Oklahoma to just 154 yards of offense in the game, including 52 rushing yards. As a unit, LSU ranked first in the nation in scoring defense (11.0 points per game) and total defense (252.0 yards per game).
“We are so pleased and happy that Marcus has decided to come back,” LSU coach Nick Saban said. “I think that there is so much that can be accomplished in your senior year of college. We’re pleased and happy that Marcus is going to come back and be a leader on our team, have the opportunity to get his education, get very close to graduating, but also leave a legacy in terms of LSU football and what he can accomplish as a player next year. Obviously he’s been a part of two SEC championships and a national championship, and I know that he’s looking forward to the challenges, as I am, of what we can accomplish with next year’s team as well.”
Mauck, who graduated last month with a degree in kinesiology, quarterbacked the Tigers to their first national title in football since 1958, guiding LSU to a 13-1 overall mark and the victory over the Sooners in the Sugar Bowl. Mauck, who owns an 18-2 record as LSU’s starting quarterback, threw for a school record 28 touchdowns in 2003. Mauck earned Second Team Academic All-America honors as well as being a Second Team All-SEC pick for the Tigers in 2003.
“Four years ago, I came for LSU for two reasons,” Mauck said. “One was to get an education at a quality university and the second was to be able to play SEC football. It was a dream of mine to play college football and be part of a team and the atmosphere.
“In the three and a half years that I have been here, I have been extremely fortunate, to be able to graduate and to be part of a program that I am extremely proud of. It has far exceeded my expectations. To win two SEC Championships and one national championship, is just a dream come true. After speaking with Coach (Nick) Saban, my fianc?e, my family and consulting with the NFL, I have decided to the best interest for me to forego my senior year and try to enter the NFL Draft.”
Mauck, a native of Jasper, Ind., played three years of minor league baseball before joining LSU prior to the 2000 season. Mauck, who will turn 25 next in February, also plans on attending dental school at some point in the future.
“It has been an extremely, extremely difficult decision, just because of the wonderful place that LSU is and the amount of people and friends that I have been able to have here,” Mauck said. “I can’t thank Coach Saban and Coach (Jimbo) Fisher enough for not only helping me to become a better player but a better person.
“I would like to thank all my teammates that I have been able to play with and especially the fans. Growing up in Indiana, I had no idea what football was like down here. It has been a tremendous experience and been fun to be a part of. I think Coach Saban has done a terrific job in not only getting great football players but also great people. This program is going to be successful for many years to come. There is not one player that is bigger than this program, and this is something I really have been proud to be a part of. I am not exactly sure what is going to happen to my future but I couldn’t imagine a better place than LSU to prepare me for whatever might be ahead.”
Mauck’s .900 winning percentage is the best for a quarterback in school history. He also finished is career ranked third in school history in TD passes (37) and completion percentage (58.6), sixth in completions (310), seventh in attempts (529) and eighth in passing yards (3,831).
“(Matt) has done as much with his college career that anybody could ever expect one to do in terms of being as good a person as we ever had represent this institution,” Saban said. “His reputation academically as a student is as good as any we have ever had here. He has won 18 out of 20 games as a starter and showed tremendous character and resiliency to come back from a terrible, difficult rehab of an injury to lead our team to the national championship this year.
“For all those things we are very much indebted to Matt and his family and all the people who have supported him to help him do these things. He was able to do these things because of who he is, what he stands for, what his convictions are, and what his values are as a person. He has tremendous character and I am proud to say that this is a guy that we recruited at two schools. I am happy that he ended up with us for the time that he did and he did a tremendous job.”
Mauck joins wide receiver Michael Clayton as LSU’s two early entrees into the NFL draft this year. On Monday, All-America cornerback Corey Webster decided to remain at LSU for his senior season.