Dez Bryant

Bryant's junior season was rocky, to say the least, as he missed the final 10 games after being suspended for lying to NCAA investigators about his dealings with NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Not surprisingly, this event caused him to leave the college game a year early. If his first three games of the 2009 season were any indication, Bryant probably would have entered the draft early anyway; he had 17 receptions for 323 yards and four scores as a receiver to go along with an 82-yard punt return for touchdown. Had he continued to play, Bryant might have reached his 2008 consensus All-American totals of 87 catches for 1,480 yards and 19 touchdowns and a 17.9-yard average on punt returns along with a pair of scores. As a true freshman, Bryant proved himself worthy of his high school All-American and top 100 recruit accolades by displaying great athleticism and good production (43-622-6), ending the year with a six-catch, 117-yard, two-score effort in an Insight bowl win over Indiana. The suspension will have little effect on Bryant's stock heading into the draft. Teams will question him about his choices, but they will likely overlook the mistakes when they pop in the film. Scouts will also question his top-end speed, but they also know that plenty of big-bodied receivers have succeeded in the NFL without running 4.4 40s. Bryant's hands, strength and surprising elusiveness should keep him in the top half of the first round.

after the catch

Better elusiveness, vision and balance than expected given his size. Has a burst after tucking away the ball and will lower his shoulder and carry defenders for a few yards. Uses his well-defined upper body to shield defenders on slants and stiff-arm to keep corners at bay. Not always as physical a player as you'd expect for his size. Hears footsteps over the middle and dances instead of running over smaller defenders in space. Good elusiveness and vision as a college punt returner, but lacks the quickness to avoid NFL special teams coverage units. Must secure the ball when running in space as he holds it out away from his frame.

route running

Capable of sinking his hips and running crisp crossing and out-routes. Head fake gains him some room down the seam, where he is a regular threat. Uses his hands and long arms to separate on comebacks as well as down the sideline. Gets lazy and rounds off out-routes when defenders give cushion. Gets a lot of opportunities to run after the catch on quick step-back throws. Works to come back for his quarterback at times, but needs to improve his consistency there.

intangibles

No major character concerns, but questions abound about his consistency, maturity and work ethic. Suspension for lying to NCAA should not hurt his stock if he takes responsibility for his actions.

nfl comparison

Roy Williams, Cowboys

hands

Makes exceptional catches in traffic, extending his arms and snatching the ball from the air with his large hands. Adjusts to wide, high or low throws well. Superior vertical and hand strength to win the jump ball. Double-catches and allows the ball into his chest too often, which may be an issue playing with NFL quarterbacks with strong arms.

release

Inconsistent getting out of stance quickly, especially if not the first option on the play, but has enough strength and wiggle at the line to beat press coverage. Not likely to run past NFL corners, but can lull defenders to sleep at times and then use his size to gain separation. Lacks elite top-end speed or a breakaway gear, but finds a burst when needed.

blocking

Can be dominant when the effort is there, using his strength to latch onto smaller defenders. Often out-quicked on the edge, missing blocks by not moving his feet. Needs to move his feet after initial contact to sustain. Inconsistent finding a block downfield if the back breaks into the open. Doesn't search out blocks when the play is run away from him.

A SuperPrep and Parade All-American

Listed by SuperPrep as the country’s No. 7 receiving prospect

A consensus national top 100 prospect

Ranked as America’s 29th best player by ESPN.com

Played on a state championship team at Lufkin

Participated in the Offense-Defense All-American Game

Scout.com ranked Bryant as the No. 13 receiver in the country and the 22nd best prospect in Texas

The Rivals service ranked him the No. 54 player in the country, the nation’s ninth-best receiving prospect and as the No. 12 player in Texas

PrepStar placed him among America’s top 100 players and as the nation’s ninth-best receiving prospect

The Sporting News considered him the No. 54 prospect in the southwest

Dallas Morning News listed him as the No. 75 player in America

Member of the Texas Football magazine Super Team first-team

All-state selection

Senior season stats included 53 receptions for 1,207 yards with 21 touchdowns

Caught 48 passes for 1,025 yards as a junior with 16 touchdowns

Scored 41 touchdowns in 31 career games

A first-team Super Teamer by Dave Campbell

Just OSU’s fourth Parade All-American since 1985.

Had his choice of schools, including LSU, Nebraska, OU, Arkansas, Iowa and Texas A&M, among others

Four-year member of the track team.