The Dallas Cowboys’ rookie minicamp ran from May 1 to May 3. The event witnessed six tryout participants competing alongside undrafted free agents for roster spots. After camp, the Cowboys gained clarity on whom to sign as their 12th undrafted agent.

USC Trojans offensive lineman DJ Wingfield was one of those invited for the tryouts. As reported by staff writer Tommy Yarrish on the Dallas Cowboys' official news site on May 3, they signed him as a 12th undrafted free agent.

Wingfield was also invited to the Denver Broncos camp, but the Cowboys made an under-the-radar move to bolster the unit.

Wingfield secured a $210,000 NIL deal from USC Trojans for 2025, but he could not play the final season due to eligibility issues.

He would have already exhausted his college eligibility limit on finishing 12 games as a right guard for the Purdue Boilermakers in 2024, before moving to the USC Trojans.

As per NCAA rules, players are allowed to play for four seasons within five years. His appeal to the NCAA was unsuccessful, sidelining him for the entire 2025 season.

After an unusual and lengthy journey to the league, he now finds himself on the team’s 90-man offseason roster. Wingfield will now aim to secure a spot at guard behind T.J. Bass and 2025 first-round pick Tyler Booker, according to Tony Adame of Heavy.com.

The Cowboys selected just one offensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft, taking offensive tackle Drew Shelton in the fourth round at No. 112 overall. It could work in Wingfield’s favor since they play different positions.

Among the six players invited for tryouts, one of them had a familiar surname who helped the team land their Super Bowl XXX in 1995.

Barry Switzer’s Grandson Eyes Cowboys Opportunity

Presbyterian running back Zach Switzer, grandson of former Cowboys’ head coach Barry Switzer, had a recent tryout at the rookie minicamp in Frisco. Dallas holds a special place for the wide receiver out of Memphis, whose grandfather led the Cowboys to Super Bowl XXX.

“I’m super honored and super grateful and super blessed to have the opportunity to do something like this and achieve one of my dreams,” Switzer said during the 2026 rookie minicamp. “Until that happens, I’ll just keep telling them I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

He started his career at Memphis and finished at Presbyterian College. He totaled more than 1,100 all-purpose yards during his last season.

The running back had an opportunity to live one of his dreams of setting foot on the Cowboys field and in the locker room.

Being one of the six players who were invited for the tryouts in the rookie minicamp, he knows that such an invitation for tryout does not guarantee a place in the 90-man roster.

Will the Cowboys sign the grandson of the legendary head coach after Wingfield? Share your thoughts.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar