Drake Stoops didn’t allow himself to get upset after not receiving an invite to the 2024 NFL Combine.
“I can’t allow myself to get mad, sad, anything about it because I know I’m going to have an opportunity at Pro Day,” Stoops said. “… At the end of the day, it’s still an opportunity just like the combine.”
All Stoops has ever looked for is an opportunity. As a 5-foot-10, 175-pound high school senior given no stars from ESPN and On3 and ranked the No. 217 wide receiver nationally by 247Sports, Stoops received one Power Five offer before walking on at Oklahoma.
Six years, 1,876 yards and an All-Big 12 First Team later, being an under the radar high school prospect didn’t deter him from making the most of his time with the Sooners.
Now, Stoops will likely fall into the late rounds or go undrafted in the looming 2024 NFL Draft, but will be complacent with whatever chance he gets with an NFL team.
“Leading up to the draft, I’ll be at peace,” Stoops said after his OU Pro Day performance. “Whatever happens is going to happen. God has a plan, and it’s not really up to me. Whether it’s drafted or undrafted, I think an opportunity will arise, and that’s all that matters.
“I mean, shoot, I walked onto Oklahoma and now I’m sitting here talking to you guys. So at the end of the day, all I need is an opportunity.”
Stoops referenced three receivers who were in similar positions entering the NFL Draft when asked who he models his game after — Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow (5th round selection) and retired Super Bowl-winning receivers Julian Edelman (7th round selection) and Danny Amendola (undrafted).
Former Sooner wide receiver Drake Stoops during OU's 2024 Pro Day on March 12.
During his position workouts at Pro Day, Stoops ran routes inspired by those three and taken from NFL schemes. He ended up catching all but one pass and displaying his keen route running and ability to get open, two features NFL teams have expressed interest in.
“That’s definitely something that people like is my ability to diagnose zones and option routes, finding the weak spot, and being able to get open and improvise after the play in scramble drill — that’s definitely something that’s an intangible,” Stoops said. “Also, being able to, in a 1-on-1 situation and man coverage, … (Create) separation. In the NFL you don’t need much (separation), quarterbacks are that good and that on time, so that’s definitely one of my strong suits.”
The rest of Stoops’ Pro Day certainly didn’t do much to boost his stock. His 4.67-second 40-yard dash would’ve ranked last out of the 30 receivers who participated in the event at the combine, and was even slower than seven tight ends. Stoops’ vertical, broad jump and bench press would’ve also ranked at the combine.
While he feels there’s plenty of room for his 40-yard dash time to improve, Stoops is confident in his game speed, which he was able to showcase at the East West Shrine Bowl.
Regardless of his performance at OU’s Pro Day and how it affects his draft stock, Stoops, similar to his attitude toward the NFL Draft, is at peace with where he stands. All he wants is an opportunity, and when he gets it, he’ll make the most of it.
“I can’t control who wants me and who doesn’t,” Stoops said. “But I know I can do my best and lay my head down at night at peace with that.”
