snuffy
03-15-2008, 02:01 PM
http://newsok.com/article/3216778/1205601706
Sat March 15, 2008
Oklahoma State's Savage opts to stay in college before NFL draft
By MURRAY EVANS
Associated Press Writer
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Dantrell Savage hopes that by taking the road less traveled, NFL scouts will take notice.
It's become routine for high-profile prospects to drop out of college and focus on preparing for the NFL draft and a potential pro payday. But Savage ignored advice from his agent and instead decided to take 19 hours this semester at Oklahoma State so that he can graduate with a bachelor's degree in education.
In doing so, the senior from Columbus, Ga., showed his practical side.
"I stayed here because there was no reason to go anywhere else to spend money," Savage said this week at Oklahoma State's annual pro day. "You can pocket that, just keep it for rainy days to help your family out."
Savage is working with the Cowboys' strength and conditioning coach, Rob Glass, to prepare for the April 26-27 draft.
Before making his decision to remain in Stillwater, Savage spoke with another former Oklahoma State running back, Vernand Morency of the Green Bay Packers. Morency also opted to stay in school before the 2005 draft, when he was taken by the Houston Texans.
"He said having a degree can have a big impact on how much money you can get," Savage said. "He said the coaches respect you more."
That's absolutely true, Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy said.
"It makes his draft stock go up that much more when they see the dedication that he has in the classroom," Gundy said. "It shows character. It's a smart move on his part. You can't always convince guys of that. ... But these guys who have it figured out understand that the NFL likes that they're potentially going to graduate. They see him as a more disciplined person."
"He's smart enough to play (in the NFL) for a long time."
According to an analysis of Savage on the NFL scouting combine Web site, scouts like his quickness and straight-line speed and note he is a solid blocker, both in pass protection and in the open field.
But the biggest knock against Savage is his size. At last month's combine in Indianapolis, he was measured at 5-foot-8 and 187 pounds. Scouts also note his history of injuries at Oklahoma State, which include an abdominal strain, a bruised knee and a groin pull. Injuries cost him two games as a senior.
Still, Savage — who transferred to Oklahoma State from Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College — rushed for 1,272 yards and scored nine touchdowns last season for the Cowboys, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. He also caught 27 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
As a junior, he rushed for 820 yards and eight touchdowns.
"I'm a real modest guy. I'm laid back," he said. "I'm not going to let them get under my skin. It shows up on film. I had 10 straight 100-yard games. To my understanding, no one else had that in the Big 12 or the (Southeastern Conference). That talks for itself instead of me talking about (it)."
Savage didn't hurt himself with his performance at Wednesday's pro day. Running outdoors on the artificial turf at Boone Pickens Stadium, he was timed in 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash. That's significantly faster than the 4.57-second time he recorded in the NFL combine, which was held indoors.
"This makes everything much easier," he said. "After all the talk that I'm small, this shows them I do have speed and I'm competitive ... This shows I can run with the best."
Sat March 15, 2008
Oklahoma State's Savage opts to stay in college before NFL draft
By MURRAY EVANS
Associated Press Writer
STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Dantrell Savage hopes that by taking the road less traveled, NFL scouts will take notice.
It's become routine for high-profile prospects to drop out of college and focus on preparing for the NFL draft and a potential pro payday. But Savage ignored advice from his agent and instead decided to take 19 hours this semester at Oklahoma State so that he can graduate with a bachelor's degree in education.
In doing so, the senior from Columbus, Ga., showed his practical side.
"I stayed here because there was no reason to go anywhere else to spend money," Savage said this week at Oklahoma State's annual pro day. "You can pocket that, just keep it for rainy days to help your family out."
Savage is working with the Cowboys' strength and conditioning coach, Rob Glass, to prepare for the April 26-27 draft.
Before making his decision to remain in Stillwater, Savage spoke with another former Oklahoma State running back, Vernand Morency of the Green Bay Packers. Morency also opted to stay in school before the 2005 draft, when he was taken by the Houston Texans.
"He said having a degree can have a big impact on how much money you can get," Savage said. "He said the coaches respect you more."
That's absolutely true, Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy said.
"It makes his draft stock go up that much more when they see the dedication that he has in the classroom," Gundy said. "It shows character. It's a smart move on his part. You can't always convince guys of that. ... But these guys who have it figured out understand that the NFL likes that they're potentially going to graduate. They see him as a more disciplined person."
"He's smart enough to play (in the NFL) for a long time."
According to an analysis of Savage on the NFL scouting combine Web site, scouts like his quickness and straight-line speed and note he is a solid blocker, both in pass protection and in the open field.
But the biggest knock against Savage is his size. At last month's combine in Indianapolis, he was measured at 5-foot-8 and 187 pounds. Scouts also note his history of injuries at Oklahoma State, which include an abdominal strain, a bruised knee and a groin pull. Injuries cost him two games as a senior.
Still, Savage — who transferred to Oklahoma State from Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College — rushed for 1,272 yards and scored nine touchdowns last season for the Cowboys, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. He also caught 27 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns.
As a junior, he rushed for 820 yards and eight touchdowns.
"I'm a real modest guy. I'm laid back," he said. "I'm not going to let them get under my skin. It shows up on film. I had 10 straight 100-yard games. To my understanding, no one else had that in the Big 12 or the (Southeastern Conference). That talks for itself instead of me talking about (it)."
Savage didn't hurt himself with his performance at Wednesday's pro day. Running outdoors on the artificial turf at Boone Pickens Stadium, he was timed in 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash. That's significantly faster than the 4.57-second time he recorded in the NFL combine, which was held indoors.
"This makes everything much easier," he said. "After all the talk that I'm small, this shows them I do have speed and I'm competitive ... This shows I can run with the best."