Sachse, Texas, has seen a number of its children live out their football dreams.

Tyler Lacy wanted to follow in the footsteps of another Sachse native, Devin Duvernay. Leave the Dallas suburb for the University of Texas, then get drafted to the NFL.

But Lacy didn’t get offered by the Longhorns until the day before signing day. After he chose OSU. Where four years later he’s still chasing the same NFL dream.

After his redshirt junior year in 2021, Lacy could have declared for the draft then, but opted to stay in Stillwater for another year. He had no alternative reason for the decision either. He graduated with his degree. He simply wanted to.

With his extra season, Lacy is making the best of it. Through two games in 2022, Lacy leads the team in tackles for loss (5) and sacks (2). The jump in production is especially noticeable considering he totaled 10 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2021 when he played 13 games.

Now, his reason for returning became clear. He’s still pursuing an NFL career.

“I’m seeing another year of maturity (in Lacy),” said OSU coach Mike Gundy. “For him to have another year of maturity, experience, strength, speed and technique, it gives him the best chance to help us be a really good defense. And it gives him the best chance to make an NFL roster.”

It takes more than production and stats to make the NFL. So Lacy began watching tape on some of the best pro defensive lineman — Aaron Donald, Cam Heyward and Von Miller — to take what they do best and apply it to his own game.

But it wasn’t a new move or certain techniques Lacy took away from his studies.

“Most of it is hustle,” Lacy said. “They just hustle to the ball every day.”

As an older member of an inexperienced defense, Lacy isn’t the goofball other vets such as Sione Asi know him to be. Now, Lacy’s leadership takes the form of an austere attitude in practice.

Not only to show, not tell, to the younger players the significance of practice, but to increase his workload while preparing for a feasible goal, no longer just a dream to make it to the league.

“He’s not joking as much,” Asi said. “It’s become serious for him. He’s been practicing a lot to get to the next level.”

Although the objective is in sight for Lacy, he’s not neglecting his role in OSU’s defense. In new defensive coordinator Derek Mason’s defense, Lacy is playing more inside at 3-technique, a new role both players and coaches have said he’s taken candidly.

Most players on OSU’s roster, Lacy included, are still sour from falling short of the Big 12 championship and a chance at the College Football Playoff.

“He’s always had his eyes on the NFL, but he takes things in stride,” said Veronica Lacy, Tyler’s mother. “He’s very humble. He takes care of business first. When he was in high school he worked for a state title first. Now at OSU, he’s concentrated on winning the Big 12 and making the playoffs.”

Even though it’s been his lifelong ambition to play in the NFL, he still wants another chance to complete the mission he set on first — winning a title for OSU.

“I’m here. I’m so glad I’m here,” Tyler said.