OXNARD, Calif. — Don't look now, but there's another entrant into the contest to determine what the depth chart ends up being for the Dallas Cowboys at the running back position, and it's a wide receiver slash All-Pro kick returner — namely KaVontae Turpin.
Through the first two days of training camp practice, Turpin has taken several handoffs in both first- and second-team drills, and he's made the most of each opportunity by making defenders miss (either actually or presumably, considering the pads aren't on yet), not to mention the fact he's also getting targets as a receiver.
And he hasn't dropped one of those yet, by the way, as he morphs into a true do-it-all player.
"The way they get the ball in my hands, you know I'm gonna go out there and be a playmaker," said Turpin. "That's the goal. Everybody can make plays. We've got all these weapons, so it's gonna be hard to get everybody the ball. So me going into the backfield, that's the one way to get me the ball."
As Brian Schottenheimer installs his version of the Cowboys' offense that he plans to include an attacking principle rooted in multiple fronts and looks, with plenty of motions to go along with it, Turpin appears to factor in greatly to what's in store.
"No. 1, there's no fear," said Schottenheimer of Turpin. "That's the kick return mentality. There was an outside zone play we ran [on Tuesday] where he literally hit the hole and there was no fear. He was gone. So, no fear, plus speed, and he doesn't need a lot of space. It's really just getting him to understand the different tracks we have the [running] backs take. There's some cross-training.
"He's just dynamic. The guy's a weapon. … He's a guy we wanna move all over the field."
And this means also playing running back, though it's not as if that's entirely alien to him.
"That's what I played in high school," Turpin explained. "I played running back in high school, so that's what got me to trust that I can run through those holes despite being a small guy. I know I'm fearless, man. I have always been fearless. I'll always be the small guy in the field, so it's just [about] my heart."
Things are coming together nicely for Turpin since joining the Cowboys as the USFL MVP in 2022 — including the aforementioned All-Pro (First Team) nod in 2024 that preceded a three-year contract extension awarded in the offseason that followed. From taking handoffs to taking slant passes to the house to executing Maddenesque spin moves with the game on the line against division rivals, Turpin's needle continues to point due north.
The only thing that can seemingly derail it is some sort of off-the-field issue, and Turpin was reminded of this recently following an arrest in early July on charges of marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a weapon — both misdemeanors.
"At the end of the day, man, I gotta be better," he said, taking full accountability. " Me and Schotty, we had a great conversation, and we're in a great place right now. At the end of the day, I've just got to be better. I've got to be better with my off-the-field issues."
Having finally, and successfully, jump started his career on the field, it's about refocusing going forward; and the Cowboys are thrilled to know he understands what's at stake, for all involved.
Turpin is a force of nature, and one the Cowboys plan to unleash often going forward.
