Oklahoma State University Athletics
Spotlight on Dwayne Levels
April 08, 2003 | Cowboy Football
Levels is a fifth-year senior who graduated with a degree in general business in May and he is currently on course to obtain a marketing degree in December. A true student-athlete, he plans on pursuing a job in the investment field after his playing days are over.
There is some unfinished business in Stillwater for the Dallas, Texas, native who registered a team-high 12 tackles last Saturday against Southern Miss.
"For me, my major motivation is to have a winning season and go to a bowl game," said Levels. "I was a redshirt in 1997 when we went to the Alamo Bowl and it was frustrating watching the game and not being a part of the action on the field. That is something I hope to change this season."
Levels grew up in Dallas with his mother, Johnrice Levels, along with his sister, Johnice, and brother, John. His mother raised the trio while also working as a registered nurse.
Levels was a two-sport star at Richardson High where he excelled at football and as a centerfielder on the baseball team. He took several recruiting visits during his senior year and chose Oklahoma State over the likes of Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Arkansas and SMU.
Levels began his playing career at OSU in the 1998 season and saw action in all 11 games, including starts against Mississippi State and Texas. He recorded 37 tackles and one interception for the Cowboys, serving primarily as a back-up linebacker and on special teams.
In 1999, Levels was part of a foursome of linebackers who were highly touted entering the season. Led by seniors Kenyatta Wright, Tarrell Knauls, Raymond Cato and Jack Golden, the Cowboys were expected to have a big season but things did not turn out as planned as OSU finished 5-6 for the second straight year. Levels improved on his freshman campaign, finishing with 44 tackles including a nine-tackle performance against Kansas State.
Levels spent two years learning from Golden who moved on to the New York Giants in 2000 following the completion of his OSU career.
"I watched Jack and tried to emulate his style of play, I could tell he was very passionate about the game," Levels said.
Last season Levels started all 11 contests at middle linebacker and recorded 95 tackles, 75 unassisted and nine coming for losses. The game most observers remember him for in 2000 was against Missouri where he battled through an upset stomach and recorded 15 tackles, 13 of them unassisted, including three for losses. The Cowboys finished 3-8 and almost upset No. 1-ranked Oklahoma in the season finale, but came up short in the final game of head coach Bob Simmons OSU tenure.
The 2001 season has brought a new sense of excitement to the Oklahoma State program with new head coach Les Miles leading the troops.
Because of the lack of success on the gridiron over the last few years, Levels has not received the national recognition that some other linebackers in the Big 12 have received in the preseason. He was recently named to the Sporting News all-underrated team and is considered to have a future at the professional level.
Before moving on to the professional ranks, Levels realizes the talent is in place here in Stillwater and he hopes to lead the way to a successful season.
"I believe this team has just as much talent, if not more, than the 1997 squad, we just need to translate that to success on the field," said Levels. "I think the offense has improved a lot and I think the defense will be as steady as it always has been."
As long as OSU has true student-athletes like Dwayne Levels leading the way on and off the field, the future looks bright for Cowboy football.
