OXNARD, Calif. — Jalen Brooks lost count of the number of days he was in his car heading for another training session when he’d get the text.
“We’re throwing at 10.”
It was from Dak Prescott.
“Now, I’ve got to make a U-turn,” Brooks said, laughing. “It was pretty cool.
“It was always worth it.”
Prescott has taken some of the younger Dallas Cowboys receivers under his wing and worked with them throughout the offseason in recent years. One year ago it was Jalen Tolbert.
Tolbert was still there this offseason. He was joined by Brooks.
The additional work has been evident in this camp. Brooks has taken a big jump from his rookie season, where most of his work in practice came with Cooper Rush.
“Just getting in rhythm, in synch with each other,” Brooks said of the value of his workouts with Prescott. “We can work out all the time outside of the building. Just how we ran when it was at his house or wherever.
“I appreciate his time and for taking me in.”
The holdout of CeeDee Lamb and the late camp absence of Brandin Cooks for personal reasons has given Brooks more opportunities. He’s made the most of those in the final days of camp, catching two long passes from Prescott in Tuesday’s practice.
“Definitely love the growth and connection between Jalen and Dak,” head coach Mike McCarthy said. “I just think it’s nice to see things you emphasize come to life.
“The deep ball has been one of them.”
And Brooks, who had just six receptions as a rookie, is poised for a bigger role in the Cowboys offense as the team’s fourth or fifth receiver.
“The confidence of just being able to play free,” Brooks said of his biggest improvement from this point in last year’s camp.
“This year, I play a bit more free because I’m very confident of the playbook.”
Catch David Moore with The Musers every Monday-Friday at 9:35 a.m. and on The Hardline every Mon, Wed and Fri at 4:35 p.m. on The Tickets (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) during training camp.