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STILLWATER — When he saw the numbers hit social media, Cam Smith was surprised — not by the stats his former Oklahoma State teammate Korie Black had posted at Big 12 Pro Day, but by the fact everyone was only just beginning to notice Black’s ability.
“I already knew Korie was fast,” said Smith, now a senior at OSU. “I already knew he could jump high. I already knew he was strong. I was kinda surprised he didn’t get an invite to any of the camps or any of the bowl games. What he did at his pro day didn’t surprise me at all.”
Since Black’s performance at Big 12 Pro Day in March, others around the country have continued to take notice, most importantly, those from NFL front offices.
Official times from the pro day weren’t shared, but Black was clocked unofficially at a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and had a 39-inch vertical leap.
Pair that with his 6-foot, 190-pound frame and three-plus years of game video as a starter, and Black’s NFL Draft stock has been on the rise for weeks ahead of the event, which is set for Thursday-Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
More: NFL mock draft: Oklahoma State football player projections for 2025 NFL Draft
While OSU’s Ollie Gordon II, Nick Martin and Collin Oliver were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Black was left off the list. So his Big 12 Pro Day showing became his launching pad.
“Black needs to improve his eye discipline to better stay in phase, but NFL teams will like his physical attitude and length to match up in coverage or as a tackler,” The Athletic's NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler wrote, who ranked Black No. 189 on his recent top-300 Big Board, No. 18 among cornerbacks.
In addition to his long frame and impressive stats from pro day, Black has the college production to boost his worth. He played 2,352 career snaps with 1,294 in coverage, allowing a completion percentage of 53.0%, according to Pro Football Focus.
In the days since his pro day performance, Black has had meetings with several teams, including two recently reported visits with the Jacksonville Jaguars, plus others with the Dolphins, Giants, Ravens and Colts. He was invited for a private workout with the New Orleans Saints.
All four of the Cowboys’ top prospects — Martin, Gordon, Oliver and Black — are likely third-day picks, putting them in the fourth-to-seventh rounds.
But it’s possible one of them could sneak into Friday’s third round, with Martin the top candidate. He recently appeared there in legendary ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s mock draft.
“Remember this name,” Kiper wrote. “Martin is a late riser in the process.”
More: Why UCO All-American Terrill Davis can make jump to FBS with Oklahoma State football
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why Oklahoma State CB Korie Black has been rising on NFL Draft boards
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“I already knew Korie was fast,” said Smith, now a senior at OSU. “I already knew he could jump high. I already knew he was strong. I was kinda surprised he didn’t get an invite to any of the camps or any of the bowl games. What he did at his pro day didn’t surprise me at all.”
Since Black’s performance at Big 12 Pro Day in March, others around the country have continued to take notice, most importantly, those from NFL front offices.
Official times from the pro day weren’t shared, but Black was clocked unofficially at a 4.35-second 40-yard dash and had a 39-inch vertical leap.
Pair that with his 6-foot, 190-pound frame and three-plus years of game video as a starter, and Black’s NFL Draft stock has been on the rise for weeks ahead of the event, which is set for Thursday-Saturday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
More: NFL mock draft: Oklahoma State football player projections for 2025 NFL Draft
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While OSU’s Ollie Gordon II, Nick Martin and Collin Oliver were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Black was left off the list. So his Big 12 Pro Day showing became his launching pad.
“Black needs to improve his eye discipline to better stay in phase, but NFL teams will like his physical attitude and length to match up in coverage or as a tackler,” The Athletic's NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler wrote, who ranked Black No. 189 on his recent top-300 Big Board, No. 18 among cornerbacks.
In addition to his long frame and impressive stats from pro day, Black has the college production to boost his worth. He played 2,352 career snaps with 1,294 in coverage, allowing a completion percentage of 53.0%, according to Pro Football Focus.
In the days since his pro day performance, Black has had meetings with several teams, including two recently reported visits with the Jacksonville Jaguars, plus others with the Dolphins, Giants, Ravens and Colts. He was invited for a private workout with the New Orleans Saints.
All four of the Cowboys’ top prospects — Martin, Gordon, Oliver and Black — are likely third-day picks, putting them in the fourth-to-seventh rounds.
But it’s possible one of them could sneak into Friday’s third round, with Martin the top candidate. He recently appeared there in legendary ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s mock draft.
“Remember this name,” Kiper wrote. “Martin is a late riser in the process.”
More: Why UCO All-American Terrill Davis can make jump to FBS with Oklahoma State football
Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @ScottWrightOK. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why Oklahoma State CB Korie Black has been rising on NFL Draft boards
Continue reading...
