Tyler Guyton: The Dallas Cowboys' New Anchor at Left Tackle
The Dallas Cowboys have a new promising face on their offensive line, and his name is Tyler Guyton. This first-round rookie left tackle, selected 29th overall, is already making waves both on and off the field. Guyton's intelligence, confidence, and adaptability have made a significant impression on the Cowboys' coaching staff and his teammates.
Guyton's football journey began at the University of Oklahoma, where he started 13 of his 14 collegiate games at right tackle. The transition to the professional level can be daunting, but Guyton has quickly adapted to the Cowboys' system, showing exceptional skill during training camp. Notably, he managed to stonewall defensive stalwart Micah Parsons during a padded practice, earning praise from head coach Mike McCarthy who remarked, "I thought he had some nice reps against Micah."
However, it's not just Guyton's physical attributes that stand out. His mental acuity has also been a talking point. During a team jeopardy night, Guyton impressed quarterback Dak Prescott with his quick thinking. "The dude jumped up there and spelled it as fast without any hesitation as I have ever seen. Still mind blown to be honest with you," Prescott said. This intelligence translates well on the field, as Guyton has rapidly picked up everything the coaching staff has thrown at him. "His intelligence and confidence for sure. It's showing on the field, too. The guy has picked up everything we have thrown at him," Prescott added.
Building chemistry with teammates is crucial for any rookie, and Guyton has done just that. He participated in a rookie karaoke session, performing "Mary Jane" by Rick James, showing that he’s a team player both on and off the gridiron. More importantly, he’s developed a strong bond with his fellow linemen, including left guard Tyler Smith. "He's helped me out a lot. He's like a big brother to me," Guyton shared about Smith.
Smith, who also hails from Texas like Guyton, is equally complimentary of the rookie. "It's not very often that you find a human being who measures how he does, 6-7, 330 and has light feet and can just move and just bully dudes," Smith said. "The sky truly is the limit for him and his development."
Despite a brief setback with an illness that caused him to miss three practices, Guyton demonstrated resilience by participating in a limited capacity during his first practice back. "I'm feeling better, for sure. I'm just under the weather, working my way back now," Guyton assured.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will have a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, which will be another opportunity for Guyton to showcase his talents and solidify his position in the team. The expectations are high, especially as he steps into a role previously held by the legendary Tyron Smith. However, Prescott believes that Guyton has what it takes to leave his mark. "He has to be Tyler Guyton. Doesn't really matter who played here before him. At the end of the day, you just need to be yourself and the best version of yourself," Prescott emphasized.
Micah Parsons, who has gone up against Guyton in practice, acknowledges the rookie's potential. "Of course it did. We're both getting each other better. Going up against him, even losing, helps me out," Parsons mentioned.
The Dallas Cowboys have high hopes for Tyler Guyton and anticipate that he will have a substantial impact on their offensive line. With his blend of size, skill, and smarts, Guyton seems poised to rise to the occasion and become a cornerstone for the Cowboys' future.