Michael Rector adds more speed to dynamic Stanford offense

(AP) — As hard as the decision was last winter, Michael Rector knew there were many good reasons to return to Stanford for a fifth season and delay his NFL career.

Rector's decision to return to school this year is a reason why the Cardinal could be in position to do just that despite entering camp with uncertainty about whether Keller Chryst or Ryan Burns ends up as the team's replacement for Kevin Hogan as starting quarterback.

With Heisman Trophy runner-up Christian McCaffrey back for a third season and game-breaking back Bryce Love poised to take on a bigger role in his second season, Rector's speed on the outside gives Stanford the potential for a diverse offense that will be extremely difficult to defend.

The one question on offense for the Cardinal is whether Chryst or Burns will step up and seize the quarterback role that Andrew Luck and Kevin Hogan excelled at so often the past seven years.

Rector said he's confident that either quarterback can do the job, especially with all the playmaking options Stanford has to relieve pressure on a first-year starter — especially when all three burners take the field at the same time.