A shakeup to his coaching staff wasn’t the only thing Bob Stoops was confirming Tuesday afternoon.
At a press conference wrapping up the turbulent 2014 campaign, the Oklahoma head coach confirmed that wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham has decided to make himself available for the 2015 NFL draft. The move means that Green-Beckham, who had his appeal for immediate eligibility denied in August of last year, will leave Norman without ever having played a down for the Sooners.
Green-Beckham had been a productive but troublesome player since joining Missouri in 2012 as the top-ranked player in the country in that class. Following three twos — arrests, suspensions and police investigations — in less than two years, Mizzou announced that it was cutting its losses and dismissing the talented receiver in April of 2014.
The last incident that triggered his dismissal was by far the most disturbing as an incident report stemming from the report of a first-degree burglary stated that Green-Beckham pushed one woman down a several steps during a domestic incident. Despite the off-field issues, OU signed Green-Beckham in early July.
In his two seasons with the Tigers, Green-Beckham totaled 87 receptions for 1,278 yards and 17 touchdowns. His size (6-6, 225 pounds) and talent will certainly draw the attention of NFL scouts, but how he fares in the evaluations as it pertains to his character will ultimately determine where he’s drafted.