FRISCO, Texas — With the 12th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Tyler Booker, an offensive guard that spent his collegiate career moving bodies in the trenches at Alabama. He'll now be tasked with doing the exact same for America's Team, and in an attempt to fill some of the biggest shoes in the history of the NFL — namely those of Zack Martin.
"He's a Hall of Famer," said the rookie first-round pick of Martin. "I would be doing myself and the organization a disservice if I tried to be another Zack Martin."
That said, if he comes anywhere near what Martin was, the Cowboys will be pleased as punch.
The 21-year-old will need to hit the ground running and that is the exact expectation raised by the team's front office, noting very clearly how they "can't imagine he doesn't walk in Day 1 and start" for the team, an edict levied by executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones in the press conference following the conclusion of the first round.
As for Booker himself, let's just say he's not lacking confidence.
"For one, I would say turn on the tape," said the former First-team All-American and two-time First-team All-SEC lineman. "Because for three years at Alabama, I just straight up dominated. I was a dude at the University of Alabama. I was THAT guy.
"Actually, for three years straight. And it takes a lot for a person to be that."
Objectively speaking, he's correct, considering he's also speaking about doing so in the SEC, where he was faced with being a wall against fellow future NFL players. The native of Connecticut who made a name for himself as a high school standout just south of Tampa — going onto become a four-star prospect who turned down offers at Georgia, Florida, Oregon and Ohio State before committing to Alabama.
He earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors as a freshman in Tuscaloosa and, ultimately, allowed only one sack throughout his entire career with Roll Tide, and in 38 career games over the span of three seasons.
It also helped that he floored head coach Brian Schottenheimer in his predraft meetings.
"You blew us away in the process," Schottenheimer said to Booker directly after the selection was made. "You just come here and be you. You kick ass. Welcome to the family.
"We're so fired up."
Booker has the versatility to play both left guard, where he spent much of his career at Alabama, and right guard, but the presence of All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith cements Booker to the right shoulder of Cooper Beebe, who will remain starting center in 2025 and beyond.
As far as transitioning Booker full-time to right guard, Schottenheimer has zero concerns — also only one year removed from successfully doing the same for Beebe, though in the inverse.
"We don't have any concerns about him," Schottenheimer said of Booker. "He's a damn good football player. Is there a little bit of a learning curve, where they've gotta learn their stance and sets, and things like that? Sure but, at the end of the day, it's football.
"You go one way really, really fast, and if somebody gets in the way, you knock the sh-t out of 'em."
The pick marks the third time in four seasons in which the Cowboys have used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman, harkening back to the days when they did the same to acquire Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin.
They're hoping for the same magic from Smith, Guyton and Booker over the next several years.
"We had a vibe, two entities excited about football," Booker said of the discussions he had with the Cowboys heading into the NFL Draft.
And now, the work begins.
