FILE – In this Dec. 30, 2015, file photo, Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) looks to pass against North Carolina State during the Belk Bowl NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C. Former Mississippi State quarterback and NFL draft prospect Prescott was arrested and charged with driving under the influence early Saturday morning, March 12, 2016. The Starkville Police Department confirmed Prescott’s arrest on Twitter late Saturday night. The post said he was arrested around 12:45 a.m. and that there is “no further information from SPD in this incident.” (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
The Dallas Cowboys are doing their homework – and checking it twice – on one of the top quarterbacks in April’s draft.
For the third time in three months Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson will get some face-to-face time with Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott. Wilson is expected to put Prescott through a private workout Monday morning in Starkville, Miss., according to a source.
Wilson and Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan spent some time interviewing Prescott and watching film with him in late January toward the end of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala.
Then in February at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Wilson again met with Prescott.
“Coach Wilson just [talked] about what they expect me to do if I come in there, if it’s to be in the backup role behind Tony Romo, how do I plan on approaching it and then just talking ball,” Prescott said at the combine about the meeting. “They’ve been productive meetings. He told me their picks and told me that they’re thinking about getting a quarterback with one of those picks. He was saying that if I work hard, things maybe could work out.”
Almost two weeks into free agency, the Cowboys have yet to sign a veteran quarterback who can be Tony Romo’s backup. They could go with Kellen Moore as the backup or use the draft to add a quarterback to compete for the job and perhaps one day take over as the starter.
Prescott (6-2, 226) is not one of the top three quarterbacks in the draft but he’s projected to go in the third or fourth round.
Prescott’s draft stock, however, took a hit last Saturday, when he was arrested in Starkville, Miss., and charged with driving under the influence.
“I take complete responsibility for my actions,” Prescott said this week in a statement. “I’m very remorseful for my misjudgment. I want to apologize to my true supporters, my family, Mississippi State, the NFL, and the kids who look up to me. I won’t ask for forgiveness; however, I’ll show the true man I am and exhibit my character through my actions and behavior moving forward.”
In 2014, Prescott broke several school records and finished with 4,435 total yards of offense and 27 touchdown passes.
Prescott led Mississippi State in passing (3,793 yards, 29 TDs, five interceptions) and rushing (588 yards, 10 TDs) for the second consecutive year in 2015, joining Tim Tebow as the only two players in SEC history to accomplish that feat.
