OXNARD, Calif. — At a position of key concern for the Dallas Cowboys, there are some beginning to step up and shine as training camp rolls along and the preseason gets underway, and one such player is veteran cornerback Israel Mukuamu who, in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, reeled in a wildly impressive interception.
Mukuamu not only glued himself to the hip of the streaking receiver deep down the seam on a go ball from quarterback Stetson Bennett, but his ability to get his head around to track the ball while falling forward for better positioning while also reeling in the extremely difficult over-the-shoulder grab was a showstealer of a play.
"It says a lot [about the work I'm putting in]," said Mukuamu after the game. "I went out there and made a play, but there are still plays out there to be made. I'm just ready to go out there and just keep proving myself."
Having re-signed on a one-year deal in Dallas, the Cowboys' former sixth-round pick (2021) knows it's all about the next play to be made, and not the last one, but he did rightfully soak up the moment at SoFi Stadium.
"Yeah, it felt good to have an interception," he said. "Just blessed. I've been waiting for this moment. God put it out there for me. I'm just appreciative. So all praise to The Most High and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
One person who was also all smiles was head coach Brian Schottenheimer, having now spent multiple seasons watching Mukuamu grind from the other side of the ball.
"It was an awesome play," Schottenheimer said. "I'm happy for him. He works so hard, he really does. Incredible play."
It all poses a very real question for the Cowboys and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, the latter working to figure out the cornerback rotation for the former.
On one hand, Mukuamu's stature and length present problems downfield for bigger wide receivers but, on the other hand, he's proven he can be an impact slot corner when called upon against tight ends — his most notable film in that role stemming from his ability to help Dan Quinn shut down Tom Brady (the future first-ballot Hall of Famer's final game) in a playoff victory at Raymond James Stadium.
Not to mention he spent the majority of his early career at safety in Dallas, despite playing cornerback at South Carolina.
On Monday, Eberflus spoke to the delightful challenge Mukuamu presents.
"That was a great play he made," said Eberflus. "The interception was awesome, and the ability to cover tight ends, cover corners and cover in the slot — that's a unique skillset. And also being able to play the run, too. He's been doing good and he's our Swiss Army Knife.
"We've moved him all around, looking to find a place for him as far as what fits best and what his skillset works at, for him and for us. I'm excited about him."
There is still much to be sifted through at cornerback over the next 2-3 weeks in Dallas, but if Mukuamu can begin surging heading into the regular season, he'd help the Cowboys begin the task of solving an equation that, to this point, has a ton of unknown variables.
Izzy one of the answers, or isn't he?
By the looks of it going into the second preseason outing, he very well could be.
