Several players from Oklahoma State and Oklahoma were selected this past weekend in the 2025 NFL Draft. The annual event was held at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The group of in-state players selected was led by OSU linebacker Nick Martin. He was picked by the San Francisco 49ers with the 75th overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft Friday night. He was the highest selected player in the state. Martin became the second-highest drafted linebacker in OSU history. The highest being Leon Ward, who was chosen by the Baltimore Colts with the 71st overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft.

The first University of Oklahoma player selected in the draft was linebacker Danny Stutsman, who was picked by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round with the 112th overall pick. Six picks later fellow defensive stalwart Billy Bowman was selected with the 118th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.

Also, on day three of the draft, Martin was joined by OSU teammates Collin Oliver, Ollie Gordon, and Korie Black. Oliver went in the 5th round, 159th overall pick, to the Green Bay Packers. Gordon was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 6th round with the 179th overall pick. Black was selected in the 7th round with the 246th overall pick by the New York Giants.

The University of Tulsa did not have any players selected in the NFL Draft.

There were two players selected from the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa was taken by the Detroit Lions in the third round with the 70th overall selection, and two picks later, the Buffalo Bills chose defensive end Landon Jackson with the 72nd overall pick.

The Tennessee Titans had the first overall pick, selecting quarterback Cam Ward from Miami. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to the Cleveland Browns second pick and selected Travis Hunter, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

Nationally, the college with the greatest number of players selected was the National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State had 14 players taken in the draft.

The NFL Draft used to be held in New York City each year, from 1965–2014, however, in 2015 Chicago became the second city to host the draft in over half a century. Since 2015, the NFL draft has been held in eight different cities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 draft was held virtually.

The three-day event in Green Bay drew a total attendance of 600,000. That number well exceeded preliminary expectations of 250,000, and tied Nashville, the 2019 host, for the second-largest draw ever for the event. Last year, 775,000 attended the draft in Detroit.

Next year, the NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh (April 23-25, 2026). The NFL said their plans include holding the draft in Point State Park, as well as Acrisure Stadium, home of the Steelers. Pittsburgh previously hosted the draft in 1948 and 1949.

I have never attended an NFL Draft; however, I think it would be interesting and fun to be there in person, to watch all the conversations each team’s representatives engage in while settling on each pick. I would like to experience an NFL Draft at least once in my life. Maybe if Dallas or Kansas City hosts the draft in the near future, I’ll apply for media credentials and make the trip.

TULSA BEACON RADIO

Tune in to “Tulsa Beacon Weekend” radio show every week, featuring interviews with local and national level guests, talking about everything from politics to family issues. This week’s guest will be Chris Kaiser with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The show airs on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. CST on 970am KCFO.