OXNARD, Calif. — Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Booker saw plenty of Caleb Downs before either one reached the NFL.
They spent the 2023 season together at Alabama. Booker was a sophomore. Downs arrived as a true freshman and immediately took over a starting job in Nick Saban’s secondary.
Booker said during an appearance on Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan that Downs never leaned on his age at Alabama and has carried the same approach into his first NFL training camp.
“He doesn’t use him being young as an excuse,” Booker said. “Like he’s always trying to learn. He doesn’t carry himself as being a young guy. The reason why I say that, I’ve seen it from him at Alabama his freshman year, my sophomore year, and I see it now. Like yeah he’s a young guy, but he carries himself like a veteran. So I’m very excited to have him on my team again.”
Downs started as a true freshman at Alabama in Saban’s final season before transferring to Ohio State. He won a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2024, then won the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Trophy in 2025 while earning unanimous All-America honors for the second straight season.
Dallas traded picks Nos. 12, 177, and 180 to the Miami Dolphins in April to move up one spot and select Downs 11th overall. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 1.
The Cowboys have used Downs at safety and in the slot during camp. They have also put the green-dot helmet on him and given him defensive communication responsibilities.
Other veterans have noticed. CeeDee Lamb said Downs has been “everything that he’s advertised” through his first NFL camp, while Malik Hooker said Dallas expects the rookie to be a difference-maker.
Tyler Booker Takes A Place On The Cowboys’ Leadership Council
Booker is only entering his second NFL season, but his role in Dallas has already expanded beyond right guard.
Brian Schottenheimer named Booker to the Cowboys’ 11-player leadership council when camp opened. Booker said leadership has followed him from high school to Alabama and now Dallas.
“Being a leader, that’s something that I feel like is a gift bestowed upon me by God,” Booker explained. “To be able to speak up and really help people and reach people wherever I can, and I feel like using that gift, why wouldn’t I use it when it comes to playing football? And I’m very competitive. I’m a huge competitor, so whatever I can do to help my team win, I will do. And I’ve recognized along the years from high school, college to now, that my leadership helps us win. So it was just a true honor to be part of the leadership committee on this team.”
The offensive representatives are Dak Prescott, Lamb, Javonte Williams, Jake Ferguson, Tyler Smith, and Booker. Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, and Jalen Thompson represent the defense, with Bryan Anger representing special teams.
Booker is the youngest member of the group.
Dallas drafted him 12th overall out of Alabama in 2025. He started all 14 games he played as a rookie and was selected to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team after the season.
Daily Work Against Quinnen Williams And Kenny Clark
Booker does not have to wait until Saturdays or Sundays to see established defensive tackles.
Williams and Clark line up across from him in practice.
Booker said their relationship allows the work to continue after a rep ends. If one of them beats him, he can ask how it happened.
“I don’t think there’s a better team that I could be practicing against,” Booker said. “Something else that’s awesome about all of those guys is that we have a really good relationship. So like when Kenny does beat me, when Quinnen does beat me, I’m able to pull them to the side after practice and say, ‘Okay, what’d you see to make me do that?’ So really, just learning from them and really using what they taught me against them, and then they have to use another move to beat me. It’s just it’s just great to have that back and forth. I’m very thankful to have those guys on my team.”
Clark came to Dallas in the August 2025 trade that sent Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys acquired Williams from the New York Jets at the November trade deadline.
Williams made his fourth Pro Bowl last season after playing the final seven games with Dallas. On Monday, the Cowboys agreed to a three-year, $105.9 million extension with Williams.
The defensive tackle room changed again in March when Dallas traded Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers for a third-round pick.
Tyler Booker Sees Familiar Elements In Christian Parker’s Defense
The looks Booker is getting across the line have also brought him back to Alabama.
Dallas hired Christian Parker as defensive coordinator Jan. 22. His defense has shown multiple fronts, pressures, and stunts throughout camp, and Booker pointed to some of the same problems Saban’s defenses created for offensive lines.
“So some of the challenges that it could present to us as an offensive line, I feel like a staple within Coach Saban’s defenses and that defensive scheme is having big, strong, stout dudes up front,” Booker said. “If you guys are in odd there in that okie front, that one big nose can hold down both A gaps, and you got two linebackers that can fly behind you.
“So that’s presenting the challenge already,” Booker continued. “They’re bringing a lot of unique pressures, a lot of unique stunts. That’s only going to make us better by time the season comes. So I’m very excited to continue to go against this defense.”
At 34, Parker is the youngest defensive coordinator in Cowboys history. He spent the previous two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles‘ defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach and is Dallas’ fourth defensive coordinator in four seasons.
He took over a unit that allowed a franchise-record 511 points in 2025. Dallas also finished last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game.
Booker said the Cowboys have not lowered their expectations after a 7-9-1 season.
“Yeah, I feel like the confidence that [Brian Schottenheimer] is presenting us, we all share the same confidence,” Booker said. “We saw what we did last year. We know where we could go this coming year. While last year has nothing to do with this year, we know what we’re capable of. And as long as you come out and work every day, really learn from one another, I feel like Super Bowl is definitely a realistic goal for us.”
Dallas held its first joint practice of camp against the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday in Woodland Hills, California. The Cowboys have another open practice Thursday before opening the preseason Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
