Devin Harper Goes to Dallas in the 6th Round

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State linebacker Devin Harper saw his teammate go to the Detroit Lions in the sixth round and shortly after Malcolm Rodriguez had his name called, Harper was picked with the 193^rd pick to the Dallas Cowboys. 

With those selections, Oklahoma State joined Georgia, Penn State and Ole Miss as the only collegiate teams with multiple linebackers taken in this year’s draft and became one of just 14 teams with at least three defensive players selected as Christian Holmes was later drafted by Washington.

Bruce Waterfield/OSU Athletics

Harper makes a tackle at West Virginia.

Harper made a strong case for himself this past season with 96 tackles, second on the team and explosive plays like 11-tackles-for-loss and six sacks. he also forced a fumble. Harper was honorable mention All-Big 12.

The 6-0, 234-pound linebacker made a strong case at the Oklahoma State Pro Day with a 4.49 in the 40-yard-dash, a 40.5-inch vertical jump, and a 4.03-seconds in the 5-10-5 shuttle. He also did 21 reps on the bench press test.

Even head coach Mike Gundy shook his head on Pro Day and said that the Cowboys should have played him more, but as Harper reminded NFL scouts and front office people as they took their looks at him, he was playing behind Amen Ogbongbemiga, who was an All-Big 12 linebacker that made the Los Angeles Chargers last season as an undrafted rookie free agent and started some games for the Chargers.

Harper watched the NFL Draft in Nashville with family and friends.

Dallas off season schedule ramps up in May with OTAs: May 24-25, June 1-2, June 9-10  and a Mandatory minicamp: June 14-16.