DALLAS » For Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, the $20 million question is: Do I stay or do I go?

During Saturday’s interview session at the Hutchinson Convention Center, Mariota told reporters he would wait until after Monday’s national championship football game before deciding if he will apply for this year’s NFL Draft.

The application deadline for underclassmen is Thursday.

"I haven’t made a decision yet," said Mariota, who has a year of NCAA eligibility remaining. "After the game is done, I’ll take a couple days to make that decision with my family. Obviously, we’ll make that decision that is best for us as a family."

Most players seeking early admission request a draft assessment from a panel of NFL consultants. That would not be necessary for Mariota, who would project to be a top-three pick in this year’s draft. Mariota, who won the Heisman Trophy in December, and Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston are considered the two best college quarterbacks.

Blake Bortles was last year’s first quarterback drafted, selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the third overall pick. Bottles signed a four-year deal totaling more than $20 million, including a signing bonus of $13 million.

The widespread assumption is Mariota would choose the pro option. But an Oregon official said Mariota is unique, and returning for a senior season is not an impossibility.

In 2013, Mariota and his family decided over the Thanksgiving weekend that he would remain at Oregon for another season.

"When we talked about it and discussed it, we felt it was best that I come back for another year," Mariota said of the 2013 decision.

A key factor, Mariota recalled, "was to get my degree and enjoy another year with these guys."

In training camp, the Ducks listed several goals. To compete for a national title, Mariota said, "was obviously one of the points, but it didn’t play a lot into my decision."

This December, Mariota completed the requirements for a bachelor’s degree.

"Being able to come back (this season) has really helped me with the little things like footwork and bigger things like learning some life lessons from (offensive coordinator Scott) Frost and (head coach Mark) Helfrich," Mariota said.

Mariota admittedly has become more relaxed in the spotlight. Hall of Fame quarterback Archie Manning was concerned because Mariota was too quiet while participating in a football camp a few years ago.

It is why Mariota’s Heisman acceptance speech — raw and emotional — was both soulful and surprising.

Public speaking, Mariota said, is "still pretty tough for me. I am pretty quiet and reserved. Media days and stuff like that, I don’t really look forward to. After a couple years now, I’ve grown accustomed to it. I’ve gotten used to some of it."

When a reporter noted there was a countdown clock to the interview session, Mariota smiled, and said: "I’ve been watching it."

These days, though, it is the other way. Mariota is being watched. Between the awards circuit and the first Rose Bowl practice, Mariota managed to return to Hawaii for a three-day break. He spent time with his parents — "they made so many sacrifices" — and with former Saint Louis School classmates, the men of Kalaepohaku, many of whom took selfies with a certain 13.5-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy.

"A lot of my friends from high school were able to see it," Mariota said. "That was a special time."

"Special" is an adjective Mariota uses for Hawaii’s people, for growing up in paradise, for being a student of a school competing for a national championship.

"Sorry for the lack of other words," Mariota said, adding a national title would be jointly dedicated to Oregon and Hawaii residents. "When I left home, I knew I had to try to do my best to represent Hawaii and do it the right way."

Mariota noted there are fewer pregame distractions this week than in the days leading to the Rose Bowl, the first round of the playoffs. No parade, fewer functions. The Ducks practiced on their Eugene campus through Friday, when they traveled to north Texas. They practiced Saturday at Trinity High in Euless, Texas.

"We’re focused on the game," Mariota said.

"After the game is over," Mariota said, "I’ll take a couple days off, talk something over with my family, and (get) ready for the next step — whatever it is."