The Dallas Cowboys have finished the Oxnard portion of training camp, and Brian Schottenheimer left California impressed by more than a few players. After camp, when asked to name five Cowboys who had exceeded his expectations, the head coach kept going until he reached 10.

According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Schottenheimer's list included first-round pick Caleb Downs, veteran pass rusher Rashan Gary, and several players fighting for major roles before the regular season.

“Caleb Downs, a special young player,” Schottenheimer said. “Rashan Gary’s leadership has jumped out at me. And as a player, you guys know that. (Otito Ogbonnia), I mean, you talk about a guy that we thought we were getting maybe a run stopper. This guy’s a good football player, damn good football player, massive, really strong with his hands."

Speaking to the reporters on August 21, via Dallas YouTube, Schottenheimer later added Shavon Revel, Jonathan Mingo, Camden Brown, Tyler Guyton, Javonte Williams, Ryan Flournoy and Bryan Anger to the group.

The list offered a look at the players who caught the coach's attention during camp.

1. Caleb Downs

Downs arrived in Dallas with major expectations as a first-round rookie, yet Schottenheimer still called him a “special young player.”

The Cowboys rested Downs during their second preseason game after he saw limited work in the opener, a sign of how Dallas views his role heading toward the regular season.

2. Rashan Gary

Gary has quickly made an impression after arriving in Dallas.

Schottenheimer specifically pointed to the veteran edge rusher's leadership, while Gary's absence from the first two preseason games has allowed the Cowboys to evaluate younger pass rushers.

3. Otito Ogbonnia

Dallas may have expected Ogbonnia to provide help against the run.

Instead, Schottenheimer said the defensive tackle has shown he can be much more than that, praising his size, strength and overall play during camp.

4. Shavon Revel Jr.

Revel has continued his climb during the offseason.

The cornerback has been competing for a starting job and recently recorded an interception against Arizona in the preseason. Schottenheimer said he was “very proud” of what Revel has accomplished.

5. Camden Brown

Few roster battles have become more interesting than Brown's push for a receiver spot.

The undrafted rookie has five catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns through two preseason games, putting himself firmly in the conversation for the final roster.

6. Jonathan Mingo

Mingo has also made his case in a crowded receiver room.

After producing in camp, he caught his first professional touchdown against Arizona on a 53-yard pass from Joe Milton.

7. Tyler Guyton

Guyton has entered an important second season after securing the starting left tackle job.

A healthy camp has helped him maintain that position, and Dallas has limited his preseason work while preparing him for the regular season.

8. Javonte Williams

Williams has spent camp working as Dallas' top running back.

The Cowboys have not needed to feature him in the preseason, instead using those games to evaluate the competition behind him.

9. Ryan Flournoy

Flournoy has continued building momentum in the passing game.

He appears firmly positioned behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, giving Dallas another receiver Schottenheimer has singled out after a strong camp.

10. Bryan Anger

Even the veteran punter made Schottenheimer's list.

“Bryan Anger, however old he is. He just hit a couple of 75-yard punts,” Schottenheimer said.

The list doesn't guarantee anything when the regular season begins, but it gives a useful snapshot of what caught Schottenheimer's eye during camp.

Dallas now returns to The Star with several of those players carrying momentum into the final preseason week.

Written by

Evince Das