NFL Draft: Many Former OU & OSU Players Hoping To Hear Name Called

For many former Sooners and Cowboys, today marks the start of the most important weekend of their lives as the 2016 NFL Draft will begin at 7 tonight. Once again, the league will complete the first round on Thursday, the second and third rounds on Friday, and the final four rounds on Saturday.

Using the draft projections from CBS Sports, here’s a list of OU and OSU players who will be hoping to hear their name called over the weekend:

Emmanuel Ogbah, DE: The OSU star pass rusher is a hot commodity this weekend, and it wouldn’t be surprising to hear his name called on Thursday night or early on Friday. He’s a big body (6-4, 273), and promises to be a disruptive force on any defense that takes a chance on the AP’s Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.  

Sterling Shepard, WR: The Sooner bred wide out did a tremendous job of increasing his stock over his senior year by staying healthy, and is now projected to go in the second or third round after totaling 86 catches for 1,288 yards last season. Shepard will be a stealthy slot receiver for any team that drafts him, and his upbeat, hard-working personality should help him in cementing himself on an NFL roster for a long time.

Charles Tapper, DE: After putting up 23 reps in the bench press and running a 4.59 40-yd dash at the combine, Tapper did a good job of upping his draft stock after solid career as a Sooner. Tapper projects to be a power rusher at the next level, while his quickness and high-motor capabilities will be beneficial to any defensive line unit.

Kevin Peterson, DB: As the Cowboys most hyped up cornerback over the last couple of seasons, Peterson projects to be a good cover guy at the next level with the ability to step up and make a tackle. Peterson is a speedster, so that trait alone should help him. CBS Sports doesn’t have him getting drafted, but other outlets project he could go anywhere from the fourth to seventh round.

Eric Striker, OLB: As the most vibrant personality on the OU football team over the last couple of seasons, Striker will look to take his pass rushing prowess to the next level. Striker was three-time All Big 12 pick in college, and his hard working personality and leadership traits should translate well in the NFL. He’s projected to go somewhere around the fifth round.

Zack Sanchez, DB: After surprisingly forgoing his final year of eligibility at OU, Sanchez is likely to get drafted somewhere close to the fourth round. Sanchez didn’t lack in interception numbers, but his knack to give up big plays on a regular basis should worry some NFL teams. He’s got incredible ballskills but will need to bulk up.

Devante Bond, OLB: After an impressive season in Norman, Bond has a chance to hear his name called in the NFL Draft as he’s projected as a seventh round pick. An early season injury slowed him down a bit, but Bond has the size to be an effective linebacker in the league. He knows how to get to the quarterback and cause headaches for opposing blockers.

Dominique Alexander, LB: Alexander is another guy who surprisingly declared for the draft, but after leading OU in tackles last season, Alexander is projected to go somewhere in the fifth or sixth round. That being said, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him fall even further seeing this draft class is filled with capable linebackers. There’s no doubt he can find the ball carrier, but Alexander will need to get a lot stronger if he looks to contribute at the next level.

Jimmy Bean, DE: After an impressive season in Stillwater, Bean is likely to go late in the draft or potentially have to sign with a team in free agency if he’s undrafted. Bean has a good frame and great awareness, but will need to use his athletic abilities to make more plays if he wants to make a career out of playing football.