Tyler Smith shares what Cowboys offensive lineman he grew up watching

The Dallas Cowboys chose to fill one of their biggest needs on Day One of the 2022 NFL Draft, selecting Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith with the No. 24 overall pick in the first round. Already becoming a fan-favorite for his enthusiasm and excitement to join the team, the 6-foot-4, 324-pound man knows his team history as well.

During his introductory press conference, Tyler Smith revealed which Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman he grew up watching, and the impact it had on his career.

“I’d definitely say – I’m a younger guy – so Larry Allen, he’s before my time,” said Smith. “But I caught a lot of him in the media, Sanoma State, all the adversity he went through to get here. And the Hall of Fame career he had, just the way he plays.

“But Tyron Smith, definitely, Zach Martin, Connor Williams and those guys. Those are guys I grew up watching and I grew up trying to embody their game into my own. So just to be in this building – have some of these dudes, call some of these dudes my now and be able to learn from them – I feel like that’s going to take my game leaps into the future. It’s a great wellspring of knowledge for myself to have.”

Smith also revealed that he knows his Cowboys “trivia” and has shown off his knowledge over the past week since joining the team.

Tyler Smith on Dallas Cowboys

Tyler Smith also took time to describe the emotions of reaching his NFL dreams with the Dallas Cowboys and provided an behind the scenes look at his Thursday night from start to finish.

“It was definitely, probably the best day of my life,” said Smith. “Pound-for-pound I can’t think of anything better. Just to hear the phone call and have it be – you see the star on top of your phone – and you’re looking there, because there’s a delay on the TV, not many people tell you. But I see him on the phone, I’m like ‘he ain’t calling me,’ so I’m like ‘dang, I’m just waiting my turn.’ Then I see it pop up, I answer, and I hear coach (Jerry) Jones here.

“I hear him and it’s just like, it doesn’t even hit you until you go home and you go to sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night and my phone was still going off. I’m like ‘wow, I’m really a Dallas Cowboy’ so it’s the biggest blessing I’ve ever had in my life and I think I’ll make the most of it.”