Lacy gets another chance to impress
Oklahoma State receiver Chris Lacy will be one of several Cowboys attempting to impress NFL scouts during OSU’s Pro Day on Thursday in Stillwater.
STILLWATER — Chris Lacy has felt the stress of the last couple months, with life and football piling on top of each other.
Karen Lacy has felt it, too. The mother of the Oklahoma State wide receiver, Karen knows she can trust her son to take care of his work, whether it’s on the football field or in the classroom.
But the last two months have been unique.
Chris Lacy’s education is winding down at the same time his prospects of a future in professional football have been ramping up.
“All at one time,” Karen Lacy said with a laugh. “Combine, Pro Day, graduation — all of these things are lined up. As parents, of course, we want to see our children reach their goals, and I know he has a lot he’s juggling right now.
“It’s overwhelming, and I feel overwhelmed for him. He called last week and I had to give him a little pep talk, and he jumped back into the saddle.”
Chris Lacy will be on the field at the Sherman Smith Training Center with several of his Cowboy teammates at OSU’s Pro Day Thursday morning, getting one more chance to showcase their skills for NFL scouts.
At one point, Lacy thought Pro Day might be his biggest opportunity to impress NFL types. After a senior season that didn’t meet his statistical expectations with 20 receptions for 264 yards and no touchdowns, Lacy was frustrated.
Then last month, an email arrived.
“I was checking my email on the way to class, and I saw the NFL combine invite and I automatically got excited,” Lacy said. “I got to class and I was sitting there smiling the whole time.”
While his statistics didn’t meet his standards,
Lacy managed to stay on the NFL radar with his size, intelligence and effort. His willingness to block and do the unselfish tasks asked of receivers have helped his case.
At the combine, Lacy measured in at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, then caught some attention with his speed, running a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, among the best times for a receiver of his size.
He performed well in most of the other events, but feels he can improve his stock in a couple areas on Thursday.
“I want to show them my speed again, and show my route-running ability, and my hands,” Lacy said. “That’s a big thing. I want to show them consistency catching the ball.”
He feels like he can run a better 40 time than he did at the combine, and he felt the nerves of the combine led to a couple of dropped passes. But being back in the comfort of OSU’s facilities, with his quarterback of the last four years, Mason Rudolph, throwing passes, Lacy wants to show he can be a reliable pass-catcher.
All of this football business has been happening at the same time Lacy is trying to graduate college. An industrial engineering major, his final 12 hours of college work aren’t exactly cupcake courses.
“I’m trying to focus on training and preparing myself for the next level, and still focusing on school and getting all my work done,” Lacy said. “Balancing all of that has been stressful.
“Football doesn’t last forever, and if anything bad happens, I need something to fall back on. Industrial engineering is a great fallback plan.”