The O’Collegian

Many college football players blow off school or drop out after completing their senior season to focus on the NFL draft.

Not Dantrell Savage.

Savage, a first-team All-Big 12 selection last year, is taking 19 hours this semester to complete his graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree in education.

Savage said completing his education will give him options in case professional football doesn’t work out.

“Be a P.E. coach and just sit back and watch them play kickball,” Savage said.

There’s a practical side to Savage staying in Stillwater, too.

“I stay here because there’s no reason to go anywhere else and spend money,” he said. “You can just pocket that and keep it for rainy days, help your family out.

“We have the best strength and conditioning coach in coach [Rob] Glass. It’s just best to stay here and stay focused on my schoolwork and working out.”

Advice from Vernand Morency, former OSU and current Green Bay running back, also influenced Savage’s decision.

“I had a couple guys say that I should just stay in school and finish my degree ‘cause it can make a big impact on how much money you get,” Savage said. “Some of the coaches, they respect you more because you have a degree.”

Savage and 11 other Cowboys performed for at least 20 NFL scouts during OSU’s Pro Day on March 12 as they try to improve their stock for the draft on April 26-27.

Savage was the star of the day, posting a 4.4-second time in the 40-yard dash, an improvement over his 4.56 time at the NFL combine in February.

Scouts are still concerned about his small size (5-foot-8) and injury history, but Savage said his performances should still stand out.

“You can see it on film,” he said. “I had 10 games with 100 yards, and to my understanding, no other back had that in the Big 12.

“That should talk for itself instead of me talking about it.”

Savage is projected as a third-round pick, but he said he’d be happy no matter where he goes.

“I don’t have any expectations; just whatever happens, happens,” he said. “Basically, I’m just blessed to be in this position. I came from having nothing to something, and it’s just a blessing.”

Wide receiver Adarius Bowman, who holds a Big 12 record with 300 receiving yards against Kansas his junior year, also had a chance to impress scouts.

Bowman ran a 4.76 in the 40-yard dash, not a great time for a receiver, but said he enjoyed getting to show his receiving abilities.

Bowman wasn’t able to participate in the NFL combine after undergoing Lasik eye surgery.

“Catching the ball is most of my performance, and I didn’t get to do that [at the combine],” Bowman said. “I felt like [on Pro Day] I got to show what I’m better at, catching balls, running up the field.”

Bowman said he wasn’t worried about his time in the 40.

“A lot of guys aren’t really test takers; they got more game speed, and I guess I put myself in that category,” he said.

“I still feel like my biggest quality in the game, I really can’t show until we get out there on gameday.”

Bowman also said he hopes his reputation of blocking downfield will help catch teams’ eye come draft day.

“Some teams like that style of receiver, so I think it’ll help me a lot,” he said.

Bowman was once projected to be a first-round pick but could slip to the second or third round.

“I’ve heard everything: first, second, third at the worst,” Bowman said. “I feel like I’m positive even if I go in the seventh or sixth.

“All I look at is only one team has to like you, the one that takes you.”

Another former Cowboy was only able to watch during Pro Day.

Cornerback Martel Van Zant, endeared to fans for playing despite being deaf, attended the workouts with his interpreter, Allie Lee.

Van Zant couldn’t participate in the drills while recovering from a dislocated ankle tendon.

“I’d say it’s probably 50-60 percent right now,” Van Zant said through Lee. “I’m not nearly 100 percent.”

Van Zant was realistic about his prospects, acknowledging that he probably wouldn’t be drafted.

“Probably a free agent deal, that’s probably what I’m shooting for,” Van Zant said. “If things don’t work out in the NFL, I might have offers from the CFL or the Arena League or something.

“Kinda wait and see what they say. I have a few more opportunities.”

Rod Johnson, a linebacker and defensive end at OSU, also worked out during Pro Day.

Johnson said he is returning to his natural position of middle linebacker, and, like Van Zant, he just hopes to be playing somewhere.

“Some guys say sixth round, some say seventh, some say free agent,” Johnson said. “I just want a shot. CFL, AFL, I don’t care as long as I get to play football.”