Cowboys' Blue Drawing Comparisons to NFL Star

Entering Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys were on a mission to find a running back. But without a fourth-round pick, they would have to sit and wait.

They considered trading up to get him in the fifth round, but thankfully Texas Longhorns' running back Jaydon Blue was available at pick No. 149.

Blue shined last season in Austin rushing for 730 yards and eight touchdowns. He also reeled in 368 yards and six touchdowns receiving. Then, ahead of the Draft, he clocked a lightning quick 4.28 40-yard dash at the Texas Pro Day.

At Texas, Blue was coached by Tashard Choice, a former Cowboys' running back from 2008-2011 and one of the best running back coaches in the sport.

Choice is responsible for the recent string of Longhorns backs drafted into the NFL before Blue: Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, Jonathon Brooks and Keilan Robinson.

Blue is the youngest of the bunch, but Choice sees star potential, already comparing him to Detroit Lions rusher Jahmyr Gibbs.

"They're very similar," Choice told DallasCowboys.com. "Both are very explosive, make plays out of the backfield, and very smart. I think Blue is very, very smart, I think (Jahmyr) is the smartest running back I've ever coached."

Choice knows this about Gibbs because he coached him as well at Georgia Tech. He is now also entering his first season on the Lions staff as the running backs coach to reunite with Gibbs.

From what he's seen in the Lions' star, Choice believes Blue is cut from the same cloth ... but he still has to earn his place.

"He's got to live up to being Jah, Jah is an animal," Choice said. "And so he's going to have to perform and perform at a high clip so that can be comparable. So now he's got to prove himself to see who he is in the NFL."

His former coach thinks it can happen, now it's up to Blue and his game-breaking speed to live up to the praise.

"Blue being able to learn, being able to know what all 11 doing on offense, that helps him," Choice said. "Fast guys, when they're very cerebral, that helps them be even faster when they know what dues are doing, and then they play with a fast play speed."

Like they say ... you can't teach speed. And Blue has plenty of it.

Blue will have a legit shot at earning his spot on the Cowboys' roster. Even better, his new head coach Brian Schottenheimer believes he could turn into Dallas' starter.

Training camp will likely feature a four-man competition between Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and Phil Mafah for the right to start in the backfield.

Blue and Mafah will gear up for camp first as they report to rookie minicamp later this week.