Dez Bryant life and biography

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The Dallas Cowboys saw fortune fall their way in the bottom half of the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft when Dez Bryant was still on the board. Regarded by many as one of the top wide receivers and all-around collegiate athletes in the draft class, Bryant found a home with the Cowboys when Dallas traded its 27th overall pick along with a third round choice to New England for the 24th overall pick and a fourth round selection to move up to take the wide receiver. Despite playing just three games as a junior, missing the remainder of the season due to an NCAA mandated suspension, Cowboys personnel staff and coaches saw enough on Bryant's résumé to make the move in order to add a receiver with the ability to change the game. In Dallas, Bryant will join an already potent offense headed up by three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo and will join a receiving corps that boasts two Pro Bowlers in Miles Austin and Roy Williams. In his two-plus collegiate seasons (28 games), Bryant started 19 games at receiver and caught 147 passes for 2,425 yards (16.5 avg.) and 29 touchdowns. His threat on the field extended that of the offense as he averaged 19.6 yards-per-punt return with three returned for touchdowns and had 143 yards on six kickoff returns (23.8). His 29 career touchdown catches ranked second in school history behind Rashaun Woods' Big 12 record of 42 (2000-03) while his 147 career receptions and 2,425 receiving yards were fourth in school history. On special teams, Bryant's 19.6-yard career punt return average is a conference record surpassing J.T. Thatcher's (Oklahoma, 1997-2000) average of 17.7. The native Texan (attended Lufkin High School, 175 miles southeast of Dallas) looks to carry on the strong tradition of Cowboys receivers wearing the 88 jersey as both Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin had storied careers in the number.

2009:
# A preseason consensus All-America, All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection, member of the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, Maxwell Award and Biletnikoff Award Watch Lists.
# Served an NCAA mandated suspension that limited him to the three games, but still managed to finish third on the team with 17 catches for 323 yards (19.0 avg.) and four touchdowns.
# Of his 17 catches, 13 went for first downs, including all five third down plays he was targeted on, and 14 of his catches were for at least 10 yards, with seven going for 20-or-more.
# Added 111 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown on three punt returns and returned two kickoffs for 43 yards, finishing his shortened season with 477 all-purpose yards (159.0 yards-per-game).

2008:
# Earned All-America first-team honors from numerous outlets, joining running back Kendall Hunter as the first OSU sophomore position players to receive national recognition since Thurman Thomas in 1985.
# Was also a first-team All-Big 12 choice and finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top receiver, after starting all 13 games and leading the conference in receiving yards-per-game (113.9), scoring (9.7 - tied for second in the nation), touchdown receptions (19), punt return average (18.0) and punt return touchdowns (two).
# Finished with a 17.0 yard-per-catch average (1,480 on 87 catches) which was the second-most yard-per-catch average and single-season reception total in school history, while his 1,480 yards were the fifth-most in a season in conference history and his 19 touchdowns established a school record, previously held by Woods (17 in 2002).
# For the season, totaled 128 points to rank second in school history behind Barry Sanders' NCAA record of 234 points set in 1988.
# Had a Holiday Bowl record with 13 catches for 167 yards before missing most of the second half with a left knee ligament tear that required surgery.
# Finished 13th in the nation, returning 17 punts for 305 yards with two returned for touchdowns.
# His 1,885 all-purpose yards was fourth in the conference and 23rd nationally.
# Had 22 catches for 20-or-more yards and caught at least one touchdown pass in eight of the 13 games he played.

2007:
# Named a Freshman All-America second-team, starting all 12 games of his first collegiate season for Oklahoma State.
# Finished with 43 receptions for 622 yards (14.5) and six touchdowns, while gaining 16 rushing yards on two end arounds and 15 yards on two punt returns.
# Saw starts as the slot receiver in games against Texas Tech, Kansas and Indiana in the Insight Bowl.

PERSONAL:

# Finished his prep career at Lufkin High School as a Parade All-American, catching 53 passes for 1,207 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior.
# Was rated as the 29th-best overall high school football player by ESPN.com, helping guide Lufkin to the state championship.
# Earned an invitation to play in the Offense-Defense All-American Game.
# Added four letters for the Lufkin track and field team.

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