Oakman has been working out and playing semi pro according to reports but word is that he has also hit financial hardship. He had to pay out over $120,000 in cash to lawyers and sold his Bowl ring on eBay to do so.

Oakman sat down with Ben Raymond on ‘The Rebirth’ to discuss putting the pieces back together:

So why should a team take him on? There are guys playing in the NFL right now who I won’t name that have been in the headlines for much worse than being lied on.

Here is what I wrote about Oakman around the time he was a top prospect:

I’m not bashing the guy at all. Believe me, I really want to put him #1 on my next mock draft but I just can’t if I don’t see him executing the level of dominance the aforementioned Suh or Mingo displayed in college. Oakman has all the tools but lacks something that those great players had. Maybe its technique, maybe its instinct. Whatever it is I hope he figures it out and doesn’t turn into another case of “what should have been” in the Vernon Gholston and Jarvis Moss territory.

At only 27 Oakman has at lest 5 seasons of good football left in him. Teams should be knocking down the door to give the Big Oak a try out.

I doubt it was little more than insubordination, oversleeping for a meeting or something like that.

Here is what we know right now:

All-American defensive end Shawn Oakman and safety Orion Stewart have been suspended for Baylor’s season opener Friday night against SMU for a violation of team rules, a school spokesman told ESPN.com.

The suspensions were first reported by Bleacher Report.

Again, I think this is probably a minor issue. This shouldn’t have any effect on his draft stock in the long run. However the article ESPN posted may have alluded to something bigger.

Already in the days leading up to the Bears’ most anticipated season, the school also hired a Philadelphia law firm this week to do an independent investigation into the university’s handling of sexual assault complaints, including one that led to the conviction against former transfer Sam Ukwuachu.

I doubt Oakman went full U.O.E.N.O on a female, at least I hope he didn’t.

There is a strong part of me that looks at his measurables and goes, “Screw it put him #1! He’s the next Mario Williams!” However, when I watch Baylor games I rarely notice Oakman and when I do it’s never in the way you noticed a Ndamukong Suh at Nebraska, or even a Barkevious Mingo at LSU.

#Oakmanissobig that he inspired a hash tag, but he isn’t inspiring me to mock him in the top 10. A 6’9 250 guy that can drive and tweet at the same time absolutely should be drafted before the middle of the first round but Oakman just isn’t there yet.

On video he’s not particularly dominant. He lacks a money bull rush and uses a simple sweep technique to get past blockers. The only problem is he always looks confused at to how to pursue the play if it isn’t coming right at him. This results in far too many instances of Oakman being left in the backfield perplexed and jogging to the action.

I’m not bashing the guy at all. Believe me, I really want to put him #1 on my next mock draft but I just can’t if I don’t see him executing the level of dominance the aforementioned Suh or Mingo displayed in college. Oakman has all the tools but lacks something that those great players had. Maybe its technique, maybe its instinct. Whatever it is I hope he figures it out and doesn’t turn into another case of “what should have been” in the Vernon Gholston and Jarvis Moss territory.