Oklahoma State University Athletics
Six Cowboys Agree To NFL Contracts
April 26, 2010 | Cowboy Football
April 26, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. - In addition to the four Oklahoma State football players selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, a host of other Cowboys have agreed to terms on free agent contracts and will be in NFL minicamps this weekend.
Running back Keith Toston will be with the St. Louis Rams, defensive tackle Swanson Miller will be with the Cleveland Browns, offensive lineman Andrew Lewis will be with the Kansas City Chiefs, offensive lineman Brady Bond will be with the San Diego Chargers, offensive lineman Noah Franklin will be with the Carolina Panthers and offensive lineman Andrew Mitchell will be with the Cincinnati Bengals.
When Russell Okung, the sixth overall pick of the draft to the Seattle Seahawks is included, all five members of Oklahoma State's 2009 opening day starting offensive line will be in NFL camps.
"Those are all great kids and they're all leaving with college degrees," OSU offensive line coach Joe Wickline said. "They got to NFL camps not only because they put in the work but also because of everything available to them at Oklahoma State with the strength and conditioning program, the training table, the athletic trainers and all the coaches and everyone involved with the team. We're proud of all of those guys and we wish them the best of luck and look forward to seeing them when they come back to visit us."
The Oklahoma State offensive line paved the way for one of college football's most dynamic offenses over the last three years, as the Cowboys ranked seventh nationally in total offense in 2007 and sixth nationally in total offense in 2008. OSU boasted three different 1,000-running backs from 2007-09, with Dantrell Savage rushing for 1,272 yards in 2007, Kendall Hunter rushing for 1,555 yards in 2008 and Toston rushing for 1,218 yards in 2009. In addition, the Cowboys ranked among the nation's best teams in terms of fewest sacks allowed from 2007-09.
Running behind the powerful OSU offensive line, Toston enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2009. He ranked third in the Big 12 and was 30th nationally with 93.7 rushing yards per game. Despite the fact that he served in a backup role for the first three years of his career, Toston still ranks eighth on the Cowboys' all-time rushing list with 2,725 yards and his 27 career rushing touchdowns is good for fifth all-time at OSU.
"Keith had a very good senior season. He was patient throughout his career and made the most of the opportunity when it was his time to be the starter," OSU running backs coach Robert Gillespie said. "He's a hard worker and that work ethic will put him in position to succeed in the NFL."
Miller's performance on the defensive line was a key factor as Oklahoma State's defense ranked as the fourth-most improved unit in the country from the 2008 season to the 2009 season. The Cowboys allowed 405.54 yards per game to rank 93rd nationally in total defense in 2008, but allowed only 332.54 yards per game in 2009 to rank 31st in the country. The Cowboys allowed only 95.8 rushing yards per game and just 3.0 yards per attempt by the opposition in 2009. Miller had 24 tackles, 20 of which were solo. He led the interior defensive line with four tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks. He tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries and was third with three quarterback hurries.
OSU's group of undrafted free agents joins Okung, wide receiver Dez Bryant (the 24th overall pick to the Dallas Cowboys), cornerback Perrish Cox (the 137th overall pick to the Denver Broncos) and quarterback Zac Robinson (the 250th overall pick to the New England Patriots) as Cowboys who will be in minicamps this weekend.
