Oklahoma football: Aaron Colvin weighs NFL Draft opportunity against senior-year goals

“It was a positive speech,” said Colvin, a junior cornerback who soon must decide whether to make Friday's Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M his final college football game, or return for his senior season.

“I needed to hear it. I know it came from his heart. I feel like it was sincere. I definitely took it into consideration, everything he said.”

Money talks, and will certainly rank among the most important factors Colvin weighs into his decision. But the Sooner standout still dreams of becoming an All-American and winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back — goals he might accomplish during a potential senior season.

“Coach Stoops definitely opened that up to my eyes,” Colvin said. “That was a goal of mine, getting some awards like Jim Thorpe and All-American. That is on my bucket list.”

Colvin displayed flashes of his potential throughout the 2012 season, especially in its first half.

In Oklahoma's Oct. 6 win at Texas Tech, Colvin came on a corner blitz and made what he called his favorite play of the season. When Colvin was about four yards from Tech quarterback Seth Doege, he leapt just in time to snatch his first career interception.

Colvin struggled — as the rest of Oklahoma's defense did — in late-season shootouts with West Virginia and Oklahoma State. Mountaineers receiver Stedman Bailey caught 10 passes against Oklahoma for 205 yards and four touchdowns.

But even in that game, Colvin intercepted one pass, tipped an interception to Javon Harris, broke up three passes and made eight tackles.