Dallas Cowboys seventh-round draft pick Jalen Brooks is turning heads in Oxnard. The rookie wide receiver has been coming up with some incredible grabs versus the stiff Cowboys secondary, but even so, it’ll be a challenge for him to take reps away from the team’s top wideouts this season.
Having started his career at Division II Wingate before transferring to South Carolina, Brooks is no stranger to battling his way up the ranks.
“It’s definitely a blessing to be out here wearing this star,” Brooks said this week, via DallasCowboys.com. “I’m thankful that the ‘Boys drafted me. It’s great to be out here competing with the guys and learning from the guys. Like I said, it’s a blessing to be here.”
A key to his success since high school has been to stay even-keel. He can make a fantastic play or make a mistake, and continue on to the next play. That quality is helping him overcome any nerves that might come with a first NFL training camp experience.
“I’m very level-headed,” Brooks said. “I don’t get too high, I don’t get too low. That’s something I’ve learned going through a whole lot of adversity. I’m not nervous, I’m not excited, I’m just where my feet are right now.”
“I’m big on brick-by-brick, I want to keep on stacking each and every day,” he added. “I like to stay level-headed. I made those plays but I gotta keep on making them to stay consistent.”
Brooks carving out role in Dallas
The Cowboys selected Brooks with the No. 244 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He finished the 2022 season with 33 receptions for 504 yards and a touchdown, adding 51 rushing yards and a touchdown. It wasn’t a crazy level of production but it was enough for Dallas to call his number. Over three seasons for South Carolina, he racked up 55 catches with three touchdowns, including one rushing touchdown. So far in camp for Dallas, Brooks has already snagged more scores than that.
One of the biggest determining factors for Brooks to make the 53-man roster this season will be his ability to help on special teams.
If he doesn’t carve out a role there, it could be hard to add him to the mix with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Gallup, KaVontae Turpin, Jalen Tolbert and the tight ends.
He’ll get his first action in a preseason game on Aug. 12 when the Cowboys take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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