The Sooners are contending with a number of big-time programs around the country. Witten holds offers from 28 Power Four programs. In November, he released a top 10 that included Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama.

Deion Sanders started as the head coach at Jackson State before moving to Colroado. Eddie George started as Tennessee State’s head coach for four seasons before serving as an assistant at Bowling Green this season. Trent Dilfer, DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick similarly jumped right into head coaching roles.

Witten was an All-SEC pick at Tennessee in 2002 and was an 11-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro with the Cowboys. He finished his NFL career with 1,228 receptions for 13,046 yards and 74 touchdowns, and in November was named among 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

For a long time, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been pitching fans and media members on Jason Witten's potential to be a coach at the NFL level. He's even compared him to Dan Campbell, who has found plenty of success turning around the Detroit Lions franchise.