FRISCO, Texas – Thursday marked the first day that the 18 Cowboys rookie draft picks and undrafted free agents arrived at the Star in Frisco ahead of the team's rookie minicamp, which begins on Friday.
The first day at the Star included getting to see the facility for the first time in some of the rookie's cases, wrapping up medical testing, meeting with the coaching staff and signing their rookie contracts to officially make them Cowboys.
"It means a lot, it's a dream come true," Cowboys fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue said. "I always dreamed of the opportunity to play at the biggest stage for my home state, it's a blessing, something that I don't take for granted."
It's the first opportunity that Brian Schottenheimer gets to hold rookie minicamp as a head coach, and the first chance for he and his staff to get their hands on their new players rather than watching them on film. For first-round pick Tyler Booker, it's exciting to finally get to work.
"They're a very passionate group, they're very intense and that's what I like. I like being in environments where people care about football just as much as I do…" Booker said of Schottenheimer and his coaching staff. "I'm very excited to get on the field and work with them for real now."
As the rookies walk the halls of the Star for the first time, they get a history lesson on all the great players that have come before them with a star on their helmet. It's a reminder of the expectation set before them, and milestone to strive for.
"It's a privilege just to be a part and have the opportunity to be a part of this organization…" Cowboys seventh-round pick Phil Mafah said. "It just tells myself that I'm here for a purpose, and allows me to set a vision on what I want my career to look like. It's definitely a dream come true, and looking at those names, it's definitely motivation to have my name up there too."
Once paperwork and medical evaluations are in the rear-view mirror, it's time to get to work starting with practice on Friday.
