With the NFL Combine in the books, it’s time for those who didn’t get their invite to show up and show out. Those who did participate after receiving the invite will also showcase their skills. Over 200 athletes will perform at the Big 12 pro-day from March 18 to March 21 at the Star in Frisco, TX, with 19 of those athletes being former Oklahoma State Cowboys players. A few notable players representing the university alongside QB1 Alan Bowman will be Ollie Gordon, Brennan Presley, Rashod Owens, Collin Olliver and Nickolas Martin. While one Bowman is getting ready to steal the show, another soon-to-be Mrs. Bowman already did before he ever threw a single pass.

The 2024 season was a rollercoaster for Alan Bowman and Oklahoma State. As the Cowboys’ starting quarterback, he helped lead the team to a Big 12 Championship appearance and a Texas Bowl victory over Texas A&M in 2023, but this year his individual performances weren’t always smooth sailing. It was clear he wasn’t quite the same player he’d been in previous seasons, and after such an up-and-down year, it’s only natural that doubts creep in before Pro Day. He needed spirts lifted before his big day, that’s what you can expect from your other half. Fiancée, Jessica McCardel, stepped in with a clutch play of her own.

She didn’t throw a pass or make a tackle, but her timing was impeccable. On the eve of Bowman’s Pro Day, she took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message, a much-needed boost before one of the most important days of his football career. Alongside pitchside couple’s picture Boone Pickens Stadium, she wrote, “I will always be cheering you on! Can’t wait to watch you do your thing at Pro Day tomorrow,” capping it off with a heart emoji for her soon-to-be sweetheart for life. It was a simple but powerful reminder that no matter what happened on the field, Alan had someone in his corner.

That kind of support is invaluable, especially for a player like Bowman, whose journey has been anything but linear. Coming out of Grapevine High School as a three-star prospect, he started his college career at Texas Tech Red Raiders, where he flashed potential before injuries derailed his momentum. Seeking a fresh start, he transferred to Michigan Wolverines in 2021 but saw limited action over two seasons. It wasn’t until he arrived at Oklahoma State in 2023 that he finally got a chance to start again, proving he still had plenty left in the tank. While his stats weren’t perfect, he played a crucial role in OSU’s success, earning an All-Big 12 honorable mention in the process.

Bowman capped off 2024 with 2423 yards with a concerning 16-12 TD-INT ratio – now standing at the doorstep of his NFL dream. Bowman may not be the highest-ranked QB in this draft class, but he’s battle-tested, experienced, and capable of making all the throws. With scouts watching, he’ll have the opportunity to remind teams why he’s worth a look.

And for the OSU students wanting to catch the action, the Big 12 Pro Day is open to the public on March 19 and March 20 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the March 21 session running from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

No matter how the next few weeks play out, one thing is certain: Bowman won’t be alone.

From the Gridiron to ‘I Do’: Alan Bowman’s Big Year On and Off the Field

The OSU graduate isn’t in headlines for his Pro Day, his personal life is also in the spotlight. The Oklahoma State quarterback got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Jessica McCardel, back in July 2023, and the couple is set to tie the knot in April 2025.

Bowman and McCardel’s love story began at Texas Tech, where they first met before his football journey took him from Lubbock to Michigan and eventually to Stillwater. McCardel has been a regular presence at OSU games, cheering on Bowman from the stands. However, during Oklahoma State’s road game against Tulsa, ESPN’s broadcast team reported that she missed the game for a pretty good reason—her bachelorette party.

Bowman’s football roots run deep—his father, Kirk Bowman, played tight end at Penn State from 1980-83, even winning a national championship in 1982. Now, Alan is gearing up for his own big moments—both on the field and at the altar. With a wedding on the horizon and another season of football ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be a milestone year for the Cowboys’ QB1.