STILLWATER — After hearing whispers at the NFL Combine that he's too small, running back Dantrell Savage felt he had something to prove Wednesday morning at Oklahoma State's Pro Day.
Savage improved his draft status by running a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash in front of 22 NFL scouts.
"This makes everything much easier,” Savage said. "After all the talk that I'm small, this shows I do have speed and I'm competitive.”
Savage said Arkansas running back Darren McFadden is a good example how scouts place a lot of emphasis on height, weight and the stop watch.
"There are politics (involved),” Savage said. "They said McFadden was a skinny guy and wouldn't be picked in the top five. McFadden came out and did what he had to do. He showed everybody running a 4.3, and his stock went up. Now that I ran good, hopefully I'll get results.”
OSU running backs coach Curtis Luper predicts Savage will excel at the next level but has seen enough NFL drafts that a fast 40-yard dash can be pivotal. On Wednesday, Savage ran nearly 2 seconds faster than a 4.57 he clocked last month in Indianapolis.
"With his size, he needed to run what he did today,” Luper said. "What helps him is he plays at that speed. He's runs like that on game day.”
Small is a misleading term for Savage. Short is more accurate. Listed at 5-foot-81/2, 186 pounds, Savage pounded out tough yards up the middle two seasons at OSU. As a senior, he rushed for 1,272 yards and was named first-team All-Big 12.
"I'm a real modest guy. I'm laid back,” Savage said. "I'm not going to let them get under my skin. It shows up on film. I had 10-straight 100-yard games. To my understanding, no one else had that in the Big 12 or the SEC. That talks for itself instead of me talking about (it).”
Besides his quick 40-yard time, Savage might have an off-the-field variable work in his favor for the April 26-27 draft.
Several athletes drop out of school to get their bodies in tip-top shape. His agent advised him to take that route.
Savage opted to stay at OSU and take 19 hours this semester so he can graduate in May with a degree in education, a minor in business.
"I stayed here because there was no reason to go anywhere else to spend money,” Savage said. "You can pocket that, just keep it for rainy days to help your family out.”
Remaining in Stillwater allows Savage to work out in familiar surroundings.
"We have the best strength and conditioning coach here in coach (Rob) Glass,” Savage said.
Savage said former OSU running back Vernand Morency, drafted by Houston but traded to Green Bay, advised him to stay in school.
"He said having a degree can have a big impact on how much money you can get,” Savage said. "He said the coaches respect you more.”
Several under 6-foot running backs have carved out NFL roles as third-down specialists and kick returners.
"He didn't get the opportunity to return much here,” Luper said. "Wherever he ends up, he'll make the roster. If he gets on the right team, in the right system, he'll blossom.”
Some draft boards have Savage being taken as early as the third round. Others project him to go as last as the sixth round.
"I don't have any expectations. Whatever happens, happens,” Savage said. "I'm blessed to be in this position. First (round), sixth or seventh or free agent, it really doesn't matter. To come from having nothing, from a juco, to something is a blessing.”
