College football is not always the glitz and glamour that is depicted on TV.

While Heisman Trophy finalists will prepare for award ceremonies and the 2013 NFL Draft, most college football seniors are putting on pads for the very last time.

Sacramento State center Clay DePauw is one of those seniors.

“I have to figure out what is next for me in life,” said DePauw, who played four seasons with the Hornets. “It’s going to be really weird not having to go to workouts. I’ve never really gone to school without playing football.”

DePauw has played football since 2006, when he was enrolled at Central Catholic High School in Modesto. Although he said he was looking forward to some time to himself after both high school and college football, his feelings changed after the final whistle sounded at his last game at UC Davis.

“I dropped my helmet, looked down and knew it was over,” DePauw said. “I’m going to miss it.”

Linebacker Jeff Badger is another player who played four years of college football at Sac State.

Badger played in 44 straight games for the Hornets and ended his career 13th in school history, with 206 total tackles.

“It was a great four years here and I’m glad I was able to come here and play football,” Badger said.

This season, he also led the team with three forced fumbles and two interceptions.

DePauw and Badger are just two of the 12 Sac State football players that are graduating this spring, and although college football can present an opportunity to play professionally, it is not common.

According to the NFL Players Association, of the 9,000 college football players, only 310 are ever invited to the NFL scouting combine.

But turning professional does not always show the success of a player.

Senior tight end T.J. Knowles started his career at West Texas A&M and played for three colleges, including the University of South Florida, before landing at Sac State. During that time, he jumped between playing wide receiver and tight end.

Although he only caught one pass for 22 yards in 2011, Knowles improved immensely this season, catching 38 passes for 381 yards and was second on the team in touchdown receptions.

“Sacramento State really gave me an opportunity to play football,” Knowles said. “When I was in South Florida I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, but this taught me to be more perseverant. It’s a hard world out there, but if you keep at it, good things will come your way.”

In his last game against Davis, Knowles caught seven passes for 64 yards and the next day he was named the team’s most improved player.

“The biggest thing I’m going to miss is being with these guys,” Knowles said. “Not being able to play with them on the field has really hit home.”

Other seniors that contributed to Sac State’s second winning record in the last three seasons include defensive back Ryan McMahon, defensive lineman Matt Lawrence, running back Sam McGowan and outside linebacker Vince Weaver.

“I’m very happy with this year,” Knowles said. “We showed a lot of improvement and I’m excited for this team next year because they have a lot to build on.”

Sac State finished the season 6-5 (4-4).

Ryan Kuhn can be reached on Twitter @rskuhn