Sam Bradford exits the field after sustaining an injury during Saturdays game against the Texas Longhorns. Michelle Gray/The Daily

The Bradford Era at OU is officially over.

Heisman-winner Sam Bradford announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery and will enter the National Football League Draft in April. The surgery is scheduled for Wednesday in Birmingham, Ala., and will be performed by Dr. James Andrews.

“I dreamed about coming to Oklahoma my whole life,” Bradford said. “That’s the reason I came back for this season. And I came back to play, 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 these circumstances, and after talking to several people, this is the right thing for me to do at this point.”

Bradford’s surgery will try to repair any damage remaining in his throwing right shoulder following a pair of injuries this season. He suffered the initial AC joint sprain Sept. 5 against Brigham Young University, and re-aggravated it Oct. 17 against the Texas Longhorns.

The Sooners lost both of those games.

Head coach Bob Stoops said he is completely supportive of Bradford’s decision and is appreciative of what the Oklahoma City native has accomplished while wearing the crimson and cream.

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

Bradford holds OU records for career yards (8,403), yards in a single season (4,720), career touchdown passes (88) and touchdowns in a single season (50).

“Sam has led us to two Big 12 championships and an appearance in the national title game and has demonstrated uncommon leadership skills,” Stoops said. “We appreciate the incredible contributions he has made to this program and university.”

Along with the Big 12 titles and national championship appearance, Bradford won the Heisman Trophy, the Davey O’Brien Award and was named an All-American in 2008.

As the starting quarterback, Bradford posted a 23-4 record in games that he completed uninjured, including a perfect 14-0 record at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

The announcement also means that freshman quarterback Landry Jones will be the Sooners’ starting quarterback for the remainder of the season. Jones is 3-1 as a starter and has completed 117 of 192 passes for 1,363 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The rehabilitation time for this kind of surgery is expected to be four to six months, and Bradford will be working with OU’s training staff throughout the rehabilitation.

“I’ll be up to the challenge,” Bradford said.

Bradford will hold a press conference at 6 tonight after practice in the Switzer Center’s Red Room.