History of Shawn Oakman in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 28, 2024

Shawn Michael Oakman is an American football defensive end currently playing for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL). His football career includes stints with the Baylor Bears (college football), the Triangle Torch and West Virginia Roughriders (American Arena League), the Bismarck Bucks (Champions Indoor Football), and the Los Angeles Wildcats (XFL).

April 7, 1992: Shawn Oakman's Birth

Shawn Michael Oakman was born on April 7, 1992.

July 2010: Oakman Commits to Penn State

In July 2010, Shawn Oakman committed to playing college football at Penn State University.

2011: Oakman Redshirted at Penn State

Shawn Oakman was redshirted as a true freshman at Penn State University in 2011.

February 25, 2012: Oakman Involved in Incident at Penn State Dining Hall

On February 25, 2012, Shawn Oakman was involved in an incident at a Penn State dining hall, and was eventually charged by PSU police with disorderly conduct, harassment, and retail theft.

February 27, 2012: Oakman Dismissed from Penn State Football Team

On February 27, 2012, Penn State University announced that Shawn Oakman had been dismissed from the Nittany Lions football team for an unspecified violation of team rules.

July 2012: Oakman Transfers to Baylor

Shawn Oakman transferred to Baylor University in July 2012.

2012: Oakman Sits Out Season Due to NCAA Transfer Rules

Shawn Oakman sat out the entire 2012 season as per NCAA transfer rules.

January 2013: Oakman Named in Assault Allegation

Shawn Oakman was named in a January 2013 Waco police incident report alleging he physically assaulted a woman.

2013: Oakman Returns to Football as Backup at Baylor

In 2013, Shawn Oakman played in 13 games as a backup defensive end for Baylor University.

2014: Oakman's Breakout Season

Shawn Oakman had a breakout season in 2014, earning third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and a consensus All-Big 12 selection.

January 1, 2015: Oakman Becomes Internet Sensation

At the Cotton Bowl Classic on January 1, 2015, a picture of Shawn Oakman on the jumbotron at AT&T Stadium went viral across social media, including social media site Twitter. The image became "an internet sensation" overnight because of his intimidating build, with Oakman standing at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m).

2015: Oakman's Performance Declines

Shawn Oakman was unable to match his successful 2014 season, recording only 4.5 sacks in 2015.

2015: Oakman's Draft Stock Falls

Shawn Oakman's production dropped in 2015, and his draft stock fell. One AFC area scout commented that he would not select Oakman in the first three rounds of the draft.

April 13, 2016: Oakman Arrested on Sexual Assault Charge

On April 13, 2016, Shawn Oakman was arrested in Waco and charged after a woman accused him of sexual assault.

July 20, 2016: Oakman Indicted on Sexual Assault Charges

On July 20, 2016, a grand jury in McLennan County indicted Shawn Oakman on charges of second-degree felony sexual assault.

2016: Oakman Goes Undrafted Amidst Sexual Assault Charge

After Shawn Oakman's arrest on a sexual assault charge, which occurred only two weeks before the 2016 NFL Draft, an NFC executive told Lance Zierlein of NFL.com that Oakman was "undraftable now." Oakman went undrafted in the 2016 NFL Draft. He was subsequently found not guilty of the alleged sexual assault.

2016: Oakman Projected as First Round Pick, but Draft Stock Falls

Several early mock drafts projected Shawn Oakman to be a first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, but his draft stock fell throughout 2015 due to concerns about his performance.

November 2017: Oakman Signs with Triangle Torch

In November 2017, Shawn Oakman signed with the Triangle Torch of the American Arena League.

March 8, 2018: Oakman Signs with Bismarck Bucks

On March 8, 2018, Shawn Oakman signed with the Bismarck Bucks of Champions Indoor Football.

February 26, 2019: Oakman's Sexual Assault Trial Begins

The trial for Shawn Oakman's sexual assault case began on February 26, 2019.

February 28, 2019: Oakman Found Not Guilty of Sexual Assault

On February 28, 2019, after the jury deliberated for 45 minutes, Shawn Oakman was found not guilty of sexual assault.

April 6, 2019: Oakman Joins Austin Generals

On April 6, 2019, Shawn Oakman signed with The Spring League and was assigned to the Austin Generals.

June 2019: Oakman Joins West Virginia Roughriders

In June 2019, Shawn Oakman signed with the West Virginia Roughriders of the American Arena League.

October 16, 2019: Oakman Drafted to Los Angeles Wildcats

On October 16, 2019, Shawn Oakman was drafted to the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL.

December 17, 2019: Oakman Waived by Wildcats

The Los Angeles Wildcats waived Shawn Oakman on December 17, 2019.

January 24, 2020: Oakman Re-signed by Wildcats

The Los Angeles Wildcats re-signed Shawn Oakman on January 24, 2020.

April 10, 2020: Oakman's Contract Terminated

Shawn Oakman had his contract with the Los Angeles Wildcats terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.

February 15, 2021: Oakman Signs with Toronto Argonauts

On February 15, 2021, Shawn Oakman signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

March 2021: Oakman Wins People's Championship with Wild Aces

Shawn Oakman played in Fan Controlled Football as a late addition to the roster in March 2021, appearing in the People's Championship with Wild Aces and won the championship.