The resurgence of Shawn Oakman

Image Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Almost eight months after being released from jail for a sexual assault accusation, the former Baylor Bear, Shawn Oakman was drafted in the open portion of the XFL draft.

Since the time of his release, Oakman has been non-stop working to get back to a shell of his former self. The all-time Baylor sack leader, after an incredible junior campaign where he recorded 11.5 sacks, 19.5 TFL’s (tackles for loss), and four forced fumbles was evaluated as a top 10 pick for the upcoming NFL draft.

Instead of entering the league that year, he opted to stay for his senior season, which in hindsight wasn’t the best idea. Regardless, Oakman decided to bet on himself. As a 6’8, 287lb defensive lineman, I would too...

His senior season, for regular standards, wasn’t bad, but for his standards and the fact that people knew what Oakman was capable of, it was woeful, to say the least. Oakman, only a season after breaking Baylor’s single-season sack record, recorded just 4.5 sacks, 14.5 TFL’s while forcing two fumbles. To say Oakman’s draft stock plummeted from a guaranteed top 10 pick to a day two, day three selections is an understatement. Rumors even began spreading about the possibility of him going undrafted, which in complete honesty was absurd.

Oakman, despite these rumors still was invited to the combine. He didn’t over-perform, or under-perform expectations, they were met. His bench was disappointing to many teams since he was only able to do 23. His broad jump, while impressive at a 123.0-inch jump, it didn’t make up for the fact that he wasn’t as strong as many thoughts. Still, Oakman was undeniably a real NFL prospect.

The NFL draft, just around two weeks away, news broke that NFL prospect Shawn Oakman had been accused of sexual assault. Dreams ruined; a life seamlessly thrown away by an accusation. The 6th amendment states that one is innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately for Oakman, he isn’t as privileged as other names like Robert Craft, and Antonio Brown who has been accused of things along the same dastardly lines but, instead no action was taken against either.

Nevertheless, Oakman was jailed for nearly three years until recently. February 28th, 2019 he was proven innocent and was released from jail in Texas.

Instead of hanging his head and giving up on his dream, Oakman got straight to work. He began working out with NFL trainers in hopes of regaining his ability enough, to be given at least a shot in the league. Those hopes where an uncertainty, nothing was guaranteed. His dream getting dimmer by the day until XFL owner Steve McMahon formerly invited him to enter the draft. All of Oakman’s hard work finally looking to be paid off.

The XFL draft took place just about a week ago, between the 15th and 16th, where the Baylor star Shawn Oakman was selected by the L.A. Wildcats.

From being known as a meme to being falsely accused of sexual assault, too know on the verge of stardom in the XFL, this is the story of Shawn Oakman...

- Alex Fortuna