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Cowboys' Tyler Booker Left Lasting Impact On Hometown

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nathan Karseno | Last updated Apr 25, 2025 7:18 PM ET

With the No. 12 pick, the Dallas Cowboys sured up their offensive line selecting a fierce competitor in Tyler Booker out of Alabama.

On the field, Booker is one of the most accomplished lineman in the Crimson Tide's rich history. He saw more than 370 career passing snaps at guard and only allowed one sack.

He is also a big personality, supportive teammate, and owns a reputation as a "leadership legend" in the Alabama locker room. Our own Mike Fisher has coined the term "classy bully" to define Booker.

Away from football, Booker has made just as much impact.

Booker has made various charitable efforts in his community of New Haven, Connecticut while in college.

He donated $1,500 to the New Haven Steelers Varsity Dance Team, hosts an annual youth football camp in the summer and has appeared at local schools to read with the kids.

#Cowboys OG Tyler Booker should be able to do great things in the Dallas community.

Helping others off the field seems to have always been a part of his football career.

• Reading to students
• Donate $1,500 to the New Haven Steelers Varsity Dance Team
• Annual Football Camp pic.twitter.com/4uOznRaar6
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 25, 2025

Over the course of his three-year 'Bama career - which is now rare in the NIL era - Booker's leadership was recognized across the sport's landscape.

He spent two seasons with iconic head coach Nick Saban, who was working the ESPN broadcast during the NFL Draft. Saban spoke fondly of Booker's impact on and off the field.

The broadcast also resurfaced photos from when Booker would attend Saban's camps in Tuscaloosa from 2015-2017. He started his Alabama career in 2021.

Tyler Booker and Coach Saban go way back

Nick Saban weighs in on what makes the No. 12 overall draft pick so special pic.twitter.com/GaznBbhCUk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 25, 2025

"It feels good to be bigger than him," Saban joked.

He added: "This guy is a fantastic young man. I mean, smart - and you talk about a good leader - very physical, very tough, gets movement in the run, that's why people like him so much."

Cowboys Nation should be excited to see the 6-5, 325-pounder slide into right guard as the potential heir to Dallas legend Zack Martin.

Not only for his physical talent, Booker will provide a major spark to the Cowboys' locker room culture for first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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