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

“I feel like I could have played corner last year, too, and I would have had a more rewarding year,” Colvin said, while adding the different experience was good for him.

“I've grown as a player each year and I'm starting to get more of a feel for the game. It's only my second year playing corner, so I'm starting to get comfortable.”

With another season at cornerback, he could potentially accomplish individual and team goals, while also vaulting himself into first-round draft pick territory — all points Stoops surely addressed during his heart-to-heart with Colvin.

Stoops relentlessly educates his players on the fiscal repercussions of skipping their senior seasons. He's undoubtedly had or will have similar conversations with safety Tony Jefferson, fullback Trey Millard and wide receiver Kenny Stills, all of whom are also contemplating the 2013 NFL Draft.

“Second-round money is not taking-care-of-mom money,” Stoops said, explaining the rationale behind his money talks with players. “You're young. By the time you pay the taxes, your agent, you get a house, get a car, then you got 50 years of your life to live, you're gonna go through that.”

Jefferson, the face of Oklahoma's defense and its most talked-about player, said Colvin was “tremendous” this season.

“Honestly, I don't know what our defense would be without him,” Jefferson said. “His senior year, he'd probably end up a top-15 pick. I know he's gonna show the leadership that he has.”