Oklahoma State University Athletics
Bryant Goes To Dallas Cowboys
April 22, 2010 | Cowboy Football
April 22, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State wide receiver Dez Bryant was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 24th overall pick of the NFL Draft.
He joins OSU teammate Russell Okung (the sixth pick of this year's draft by the Seattle Seahawks) as Cowboys to go in the first round, making he and Okung the first pair of Cowboy teammates to have their names called in the first round of the same year's draft since Barry Sanders and Hart Lee Dykes in 1989.
"I've waited so long for this and the day is finally here," Bryant said. "I can't wait to get out there and show that I can make a difference. I used to dream about this as a kid and it still feels like it's a dream. I'm so excited. It's a blessing from God."
As the 24th overall pick in the draft, Bryant becomes the second highest-drafted wide receiver in Oklahoma State history. Hart Lee Dykes was the 16th pick in 1989.
"We're all happy and excited for Dez," Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said. "He's been through a lot and it will be good for him to get back on the football field with his teammates. He is a special player with a bright future ahead of him in the NFL."
Bryant enjoyed perhaps the most spectacular season ever for an Oklahoma State wide receiver as a sophomore in 2008 when he caught 87 passes for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was the runner-up for the Biletnikoff Award presented to the nation's top wide receiver and was a consensus All-American. His 19 touchdown catches ranked second nationally as did his 9.69 points scored per game. Bryant was third in the nation in both receiving yards per game with 113.9 and yards per punt return with 17.94.
He entered his junior year of 2009 as America's top returning receiver and backed up that hype with three catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the Cowboys' season-opening win over Georgia. He added five catches for 85 yards the next game against Houston and hauled in nine receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns against Rice in the third game of the year. Bryant's OSU career came to an abrupt end at that point, however, due to an NCAA suspension.
Despite having his career cut short, Bryant's name is prominent in the Oklahoma State career record book. He is third all-time in touchdown receptions with 29 and is fourth in both receptions (147) and receiving yards (2,425). Bryant's 194 career points scored are good for 12th on OSU's all-time list.
"Going to Oklahoma State was the best thing that ever happened to me," Bryant said. "I had a great experience there because of my teammates and coaches, the fans and really everyone there. It's a great place and I'll always be a Cowboy."
Oklahoma State First-Round Draft Picks
1947 - Bob Fenimore (1st overall)
1947 - Neill Armstrong (8th overall)
1948 - Jim Spavital (11th overall)
1970 - John Ward (25th overall)
1974 - Reuben Gant (18th overall)
1976 - James White (25th overall)
1977 - Phil Dokes (12th overall)
1978 - Terry Miller (5th overall)
1986 - Leslie O'Neal (8th overall)
1989 - Barry Sanders (3rd overall)
1989 - Hart Lee Dykes (16th overall)
1998 - R.W. McQuarters (28th overall)
2003 - Kevin Williams (9th overall)
2004 - Rashaun Woods (31st overall)
2009 - Brandon Pettigrew (20th overall)
2010 - Russell Okung (6th overall)
2010 - Dez Bryant (24th overall)
