A Surprise First-Round Pick
Tyler Booker’s selection in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft came as a surprise to some, with many analysts projecting him to go on Day 2. However, the Dallas Cowboys had no such doubts. They used the 12th overall pick to secure the Alabama product as their chosen successor to the retired Zack Martin.
Fuel From A Disappointing College Finish
Booker carries a competitive fire into the NFL, one fueled by an unfulfilled goal from his college days. “I love to win and I hate to lose. I lost too much this past year. I lost a lot more than I should have in college, me being at Alabama,” Booker said, via the Dallas Morning News.
“I left without a national championship and that’s something that is going to burn at me for the rest of my life. So I’m going to bring that burn and passion and desire with me to the NFL and transfer that over to wanting to win Super Bowls.”
Those sentiments resonate deeply with the Cowboys, a franchise still searching for postseason success after three decades without reaching a conference championship game.
Booker’s Leadership Already Noticed
Renowned offensive line coach Duke Manyweather has worked closely with Booker and believes his presence will elevate the Cowboys’ locker room from day one. “Who you’re going to get with Tyler Booker is a leader,” Manyweather said Thursday from the OL Mastermind Summit, via the Dallas Morning News.
“You’re going to get a guy that’s going to push the envelope with people. He’s going to hold people accountable. There’s no gray area with him. He’s the same big energy guy every single time.”
“So I knew, no matter what, it doesn’t matter if he’s a rookie or not. Rookies are going to have growing pains and gripes. I think he’s going to be a great complement to that room the way (left guard) Tyler Smith leads. And I think you’ll see here, maybe early on, that Tyler Booker is going to be an integral piece, not just as a player, but as a leader in that room and the whole team.”
Eager For Training Camp
Booker is looking forward to the next stage of his transition to the NFL: full-contact practices and the chance to prove himself. “I’m very excited about training camp and putting the pads on,” Booker said.
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to get better, because I know there will be things I have to work on and things I have to get better at and things I have to learn. I’m very excited to go through the whole process and learn.”
With his passion, leadership, and determination, Booker is ready to make an immediate impact in Dallas. Both on the field and in the locker room.
