Doubt is too strong a word for it, but for some football players competing at a lower level there comes a point where they wonder if they can hang with the big boys?
One of the best things about Transfer Portal is that there’s nothing to stop you from betting yourself and taking the leap, if you really believe you can.
that’s oklahoma defensive tackle devon sears Have done. After one year at Texas State he answered what he needed to answer internally, it was time to find out if he could be the guy for a Power Five conference school.
Coincidentally enough, it was against a Big 12 school in 2022 where Sears felt as though his question was answered with an emphatic yes.
“When I went up against Baylor, I was like, yeah, I can do this,” Sears said. “I know I can play with these guys.”
Sears made two tackles against the Bears and finished last season with 15 tackles and a sack for the Bobcats. After the Texas State coaches were let go, the door opened for Sears to see what else was out there.
It’s always risky because you don’t know what’s waiting on the other side of the portal. And to be honest, the first few days Sears was surprised.
Once the first big offer came, others followed. Breathe a sigh of relief and know that your future is about to change soon.
“Actually, I didn’t get big schools for a few days,” Sears said. “I was there (in the portal) for two days. Man, if I don’t get a Power Five offer, I’m going to stay at Texas State. I think my first offer was Arizona State. I was fine then. It was unreal because I always saw myself as that kind of player.”
Sears loved his time at Texas State and loved the coaches. But he added that the emotional toll on you when you don’t win can be worse. When all the training and work isn’t over, it’s not easy to keep up.
He’s hoping and OU fans are hoping that the 2023 season doesn’t hurt too much. After a 6-7 campaign in 2022, Sears is the type of player, the type of difference maker OU is hoping to be able to help ditch.
It’s fine with Sears.
“It’s been really nice since I’ve been here,” Sears said. “It’s been really challenging. I knew there was a lot to learn when I first got here. I wasn’t pushed like that. I love it. I’m excited to see what I can do.” What kind of player can I be.”
Sears was a junior college guy before Texas State, so he’s familiar with OU defensive tackles to Isaiah, Coe, of course, was also a juco boy before he found his home in Norman.
When Sears was trying to decide between OU, Tennessee, and Penn State, there was someone Sears could ask.
“I hit up Isaiah on Snapchat,” Sears said. “He was telling me how he is treated here. Great culture, great fans, great opportunity. They needed a defensive tackle and I would be crazy not to pursue it.
You Can’t Talk About the Opportunity for Sears Without Mentioning What the Defensive Coach Does Todd Bates brings to the table.
It’s early in the process, but Sears is already learning about Bates.
“He’s such a calm, collected dude that it can catch you off guard when he raises his voice,” Sears said. “He’ll yell at you, but then he’ll put his arm around you. There’s always that happy medium.