Stanford’s Bryce Love hears the call for one more season with Cardinal.

STANFORD, Calif. — Bryce Love’s unusual decision to return to Stanford after a season in which he was the Heisman Trophy runner-up might well be validated in December.

In fact, Love has already envisioned the ceremony. He can see himself walking on stage to receive the most coveted prize in college football.

But the decision to bypass the NFL Draft after a 2,000-yard rushing season and play his senior year was not about individual awards. It was about getting his degree in human biology and spending another season with teammates. He calls the choice — staying in school vs. earning millions as a high draft pick — an easy one.

“It’s a big deal for me and my family, being a college graduate and being able to graduate from a university with this much prestige,” said Love, who Tuesday was named to The Associated Press preseason All-America team. Love, along with Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell, Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Edwards and Utah kicker Matt Gay, were the only players who made first team All-American after last season and first team to start this season.

Love finished second last season to Baker Mayfield in the Heisman Trophy voting. His 2,118 yards in 2017 are the most for an FBS player who returned to school the following year. Only one other player who reached 2,000 yards in a season and was eligible for the NFL Draft decided to stay in school — Northwestern’s Damien Anderson following the 2000 season.

Stanford Coach David Shaw said he wouldn’t have been surprised if Love stayed in school or turned professional. He understands the legitimate arguments either way.

“In my heart of hearts, if I had to guess what he would have done, I would have guessed that he would have come back, just knowing what goals he has both in football and out of football,” Shaw said. “I know he wanted to get stronger and be a little thicker, more prepared physically for the pounding of the NFL, and at the same time, I know what he wants to do off the field in his desire to go to medical school.”

Love has made a career of doing what few have done, whether it’s getting his premed degree in 3½ years, returning to school when most others would have left or with his big-play production rarely seen in college football.

With vision that allows him to spot holes and sprinter’s speed that makes him almost impossible to catch, Love made the spectacular seem almost routine last season. He set an FBS record with 13 runs of at least 50 yards.

“He’s so quick, he’s so fast, he’s through the holes before you know it,” said Stanford linebacker Bobby Okereke, who feels fortunate he has to face Love only in practice. “I remember one play in practice where he cut back in a hole and most guys make that a 5-yard gain. He made it a touchdown. That shows you how fast Bryce is.”

Love is neither amazed nor impressed by his record runs, taking a philosophical approach to his success.

“Each run in the moment is kind of serene,” Love said. “That’s how I think about the game. It’s like poetry. Being able to go out there and hit those long runs is reflective of all the work the entire offense puts in.”

Love burst on the scene last year by rushing for 564 yards in back-to-back victories over UCLA and Arizona State at the end of September. He kept adding to those numbers and led all Power 5 running backs in yards rushing (2,118), yards per carry (8.1) and 100-yard games (12).

Love