McCoy to Graduate, Enter NFL Draft

Dec. 18, 2009

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy announced today that he will forgo his senior year of football eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.

A two-time All-American and a consensus pick in 2009, McCoy will participate in graduation ceremonies tonight, then complete his degree in Human Relations with online courses this spring.

"I made the decision around mid-season when I knew that I would have enough credits to graduate," McCoy said. "Graduation was my main goal and once I knew I had that accomplished, I wanted to look at playing in the NFL.

"I loved my experience at OU and I'm going to miss it. I accomplished almost everything I wanted to get done here and it's been very positive with my teammates, the coaches, the fans, everyone."

OU Head Coach Bob Stoops praised McCoy and endorsed his decision to enter the draft.

"Gerald is a great example of how to be a student-athlete," said Stoops. "He came here, took care of his academic responsibilities, invested himself in the lives of others and had a great career on the field. I've never been associated with a young man who was any more impressive than Gerald.

"He is extremely mature, and that fact, along with what he has done academically, makes this decision to enter the draft a good one for him."

The announcement comes before McCoy's final game in a Sooner uniform, the 2009 Brut Sun Bowl versus Stanford on Dec. 31. He insists there are no distractions leading into that contest.

"I'm not worried about any of that right now," McCoy said. "We have a big game to win and for now I am a Sooner."

McCoy, from Oklahoma City, was USA Today's National Defensive Player of the Year after his senior season at Southeast High School. He then redshirted during his freshman season at OU, 2006.

He was Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the year and a freshman All-American by numerous outlets in 2007, while helping the Sooners to the Big 12 championship. He spearheaded another Big 12 championship in 2008 when he was cited as a first-team All-American by The Sporting News.

To date, McCoy has 80 career tackles, including 13.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss. He also registered two fumbles caused, one fumble recovery, one interception and four pass deflections.

With 39 consecutive starts he has established a school record for defensive tackles.

McCoy's impact off the field matched what he accomplished in uniform. A frequent public speaker, he has participated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the United Way and Meals on Wheels among others, while also speaking out against violence towards women and appearing in juvenile centers, with children's groups, elementary schools and area hospitals.

"You never know who needs to hear something from you that day; who needs some encouragement," McCoy said. "When you are a football player at Oklahoma, some people automatically look up to you. I always felt like it was my duty to do all of those things. God called me to that service."

McCoy hopes to do even more. His mother, Patricia, died before her son began his college career. It had been her dream to open a facility in Oklahoma City to receive those who had been evicted and needed a home.

"I want to help get one of those built in her name," he said. "I also want to be involved with a community center for kids. Children will be my main focus."

McCoy said that he will hire an agent after the bowl game and then begin training in earnest for the NFL Combine.

Gerald McCoy Quotes Regarding NFL Decision

On the decision to go pro:
“It was a decision I made midway through the season. When I did my degree check I realized I only needed three to six hours and that is what I came back for. I talked about it with my family and my coaches and realized it was the best decision for me. I love college. My father always told me to have as much fun as you can in college because you don't get it back. I'm going to miss college but I'm ready for the next level.”

On the same decision last year:
“It was a high possibility last year but I remembered the promise I made my mother. Coming back was the best decision for me. I was really close to coming out, but I didn't feel like I was ready and wanted to finish my degree. “

On his father, Gerald McCoy Sr.:
“He was real happy. He's going to miss the atmosphere more than me. He loves college football just as much as me. He's my biggest supporter, we talked about it and we decided this was the best decision for me. “

On his projected position in the draft:
“I don't really know where I'll go. I'm praying that I'll be a high pick and go as high as they think. It's all in God's hands, wherever I go it's in his hands and I'll go with it.”

On OU defensive line coach Jackie Shipp:
“Coach Shipp has really been on me since high school at football camp. He doesn't let me ease up, he never lets me think that I'm good at football. He always tells me what I need to improve on, he demands perfection. In anything he does he wants to be perfect at it. He didn't want me jumping to the next level without being prepared. We have a pretty good relationship and he has kept me motivated with school and football.”

On making the jump to the NFL:
“Going to the next level is not as easy as people make it. College is college, but the NFL is the NFL. Those scouts know what they want. There are guys that win a lot of awards and get accolades and then they get drafted in the third round. “

On going pro with Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham:
“We all came in together and we're all leaving together. It's a lot of fun. It's kind of crazy, we always tease the Texas guys, who always talk about how great Texas is. It's all in good fun. I grew up with those guys so it's good to see them be so successful. “

On the Oklahoma fans:
“I love you guys (the fans). The fans are amazing, we need our fans. They backed us regardless of what happened, they give us a boost. They are why we have this long home winning streak. I love the fans to death. I'm sure there will be great fans at the next level, but they will be nothing like Sooner fans. Sooner fans are die-hard fans. I love the fans. “

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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