NFL scouts in Stillwater on Thursday
Oklahoma State will hold its pro day on Thursday, and former Cowboys’ safety Jordan Sterns has something to prove after not getting invited to the NFL Combine.
STILLWATER — When the NFL Combine announced the 330 college athletes invited to its annual testing in Indianapolis, Oklahoma State football players, coaches and fans fully expected former Cowboy safety Jordan Sterns to be among those selected. He wasn’t. Their collective surprise for the snub was shared by Sterns, too.
“It added more fuel to the fire,” he told The Oklahoman in a Wednesday phone interview, “not that it needed any.”
Sterns will get a chance to prove his place among draft eligible safeties Thursday at OSU Pro Day after an unquestionably prolific Cowboy career. The Cibolo, Texas, native recorded three consecutive 100-plus tackle seasons, was revered among the locker rooms’ most influential leaders, and named first-team All-Big 12 as a senior.
So, why didn’t Sterns receive an NFL Combine invite?
“The only thing I can think of is maybe they’re concerned about his ability to cover in space,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said.
The Cowboys’ struggle to defend chunk-yardage passing plays has been well-documented throughout Sterns’ three seasons as a starter in the defensive backfield. His hard-hitting mentality had its benefits, but some have questioned his coverage skills. An anonymous regional scout for an NFC East team told NFL.com, “He’s the type of player you want in your locker room. He has to prove he’s the type of player you want on your sideline. Has to play up near the line. His instincts are nice, but you can’t have him in space for very long.”
Sterns is well aware of that reputation, though it hasn’t altered his confidence.
“I don’t think I’ve touched my peak as a football player,” Sterns said. “I have so much that I’m chasing that this is only the beginning to me.”
Sterns spent the winter months since OSU’s Alamo Bowl victory training at Traction Sports Performance in Baton Rouge, La., under the direction of former NFL safety Ryan Clark — who played 13 NFL seasons with New York, Washington and Pittsburgh.
Much of Sterns’ focus has been improving his 40-yard dash time and showcasing he can go stride-for-stride with NFL receivers. Sterns admits he hasn’t always tested well in the drill. He typically runs in the 4.6-second range, and on Thursday, aims to put his new training to work.
No matter what time Sterns hits, it won’t change his mentality as the NFL Draft approaches April 27-29.
“I think everything I dream about at night and visualize is getting ready to happen,” Sterns said. “I don’t know when, but I just have this feeling. When my shine starts coming, it won’t be able to stop. That’s just how I feel.
“I’ve actually been very at piece with it.”
Back in Stillwater, former OSU defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer is excited for Sterns’ future, but, selfishly, he’s also sad to see him go.
“He’s hungry to succeed and that doesn’t stay between the lines,” Spencer said. “If somebody hires him or takes him on their team, they’re not going to find a more competitive kid with more heart and desire to be good, and to do it unselfishly … that’s not a very big trait in kids these days. So when you find one like him, you hate to let him go.”