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Cowboys Rookie Class Drawing Rave Reviews From Coach

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated May 4, 2025 12:49 PM ET

All offseason, we have heard Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and the rest of the coaching staff preach bringing the right type of person into the locker room.

Whether that be free agents or the draft class, Schottenheimer wants a specific type of person, and the early selections in the draft show it.

Dallas' first two picks, Tyler Booker and Donovan Ezeiruaku, have the leadership traits and professionalism that the Cowboys are after. With those two leading the way, the rest of the rookies are following suit, with Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah also leaders in college.

Schottenheimer has been nothing but impressed when assessing the rookie class as they go about their business at The Star.

"You see a level of maturity, a level of professionalism," Schottenheimer said. "In the two meetings, the guys were on it. We haven't had any issues with guys being late, there's an intentionality about this group. We did some drill work, walkthrough, different things, to watch Donovan [Ezeiruaku] look into coach [Aaron] Whitecotton's eyes, he's hanging on every word.

"That tells you that you have selected the right guys. Does that mean they're going to end up being great players? No, but this group from my interaction with them has been very positive and impressive with the type of character and human beings they are."

Schottenheimer mentioned those two things. The character and person of these players are what hit the right note.

With a clear need to establish a different culture within The Star, the rookie class is going about it the right way as they look to be part of the movement that makes the Cowboys' culture better than it has been in previous years.

Granted, this is minicamp, so once training camp gets underway and the grind in Oxnard takes hold, we will see the mental makeup of these rookies be put to the test.

But now, Schotty has been impressed with how they've done their work.

However, should he be surprised? He's drafted leaders and players who have high character traits, and what they are currently doing is the standard they've been playing at for years.

And going by Schottenheimer's words, it shows no signs of slowing down.

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

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