By Jake Zivin and Kate Renner

EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas will forego his senior season and enter the 2012 NFL draft.

"I have a dream of playing in the NFL and I'm going to pursue those dreams," Thomas said in a release provided by the University of Oregon. Thomas said he came to this decision on behalf of himself and his family.

The decision is nothing short of shocking - it's possible that Thomas won't even be drafted - but it's not an impulsive one, according to Thomas's high school coach Bob Jones.

"[He] and I had our first discussion about it after the USC game," said Jones, who KEZI spoke to on Saturday night.  "We've been going back and forth for the past week and a half.  Ultimately it was Darron's decision, and we said that we're going to support you in whatever you decide to do.

Jones said that in addition to himself, Thomas consulted with Oregon head coach Chip Kelly, Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helrfich and Thomas's mother Latina Thomas on the decision.

The reason for Thomas's decision?  According to Jones, there's no controversy, no conspiracy, just a kid making a confident choice about his future.

"There's not anything, real or imagined, for Darron, except that he was just ready," said Jones.

Thomas faces an uphill battle to even get drafted.  He's not considered a top quarterback prospect, which isn't a new situation for Thomas.

"He'll be an underdog, he'll be an afterthought," said Jones.  "I think Darron looks at this as just another challenge that he's faced in his life."

The Houston-native and junior was the starting quarterback for the Ducks for the past two seasons.

He led the team to a 45-38 Rose Bowl Championship win against the Wisconsin Badgers this year.