Oklahoma State DL Collin Clay announces decision to return to Cowboys for 2024 season

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery12/31/23

Oklahoma State defensive lineman Collin Clay announced on his Twitter page on Sunday evening that he’s coming back to school for the 2024 campaign.

Collin Clay announces he’s returning to Stillwater

“I’m coming back in 2024. My goal has always been to play at the highest level in the NFL & after many thoughts and prayers over the past couple days with god and my family, I have decided that I will be returning for my last season in Stillwater!” he wrote in his statement.

“I want to thank everyone for their unwavering love during this process. I look forward to continuing completing my masters, improving my leadership on & off the field, and being a big part of the Cowboy community! Cowboy fans are the greatest in the land. I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the culture one more year. To my teammates and coaches, we got unfinished business. Collin Clay #93”

In 14 games in 2023, he tallied 14 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. In 2022 as a junior, Clay had five quarterback hurries, ranking first among the Cowboys’ interior defensive linemen. He began his college career in 2019 with the Arkansas Razorbacks, before eventually transferring to the Cowboys.

More on the 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.

Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.