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Trojan Horse: Did Cowboys sneakily bring on next UDFA star in USC lineman?
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- Trojan Horse: Did Cowboys sneakily bring on next UDFA star in USC lineman?
The Dallas Cowboys will head to Oxnard for training camp in about a month's time, with a fresh mix of rookies and recently-acquired veterans joining the fray. One player who fans should keep an eye on resides in the trenches, former USC guard DJ Wingfield.
Wingfield was signed after the rookie mini-camp, and has had quite the journey to his NFL opportunity. He played at various schools, including JUCO in California (El Camino College), the University of New Mexico, Purdue University, and finally USC. Unfortunately he learned that his collegiate eligibility had already run out after he transferred to the Trojans and after losing his appeal with the NCAA, Wingfield sat out the 2025 season.
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This rookie is no stranger to new experiences and adapting to different offensive schemes.
DJ Wingfield's Pro-Day measurement
HT: 6-foot-3 1/2
WT: 311 pounds
Arm length:33 3/4"
40-yard dash: 5.16 seconds
10-yard split: 1.70 seconds
20-yard spilt: 3.06 seconds
Shuttle: 4.83 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.78 seconds
Games to watch: Purdue vs Illinois (2024) & vs Oregon
Strengths
Wingfield brings a heavy, aggressive mentality to the run game, utilizing his thick frame to displace defenders at the point of attack. His performance against Illinois puts this functional play strength on full display. He consistently flashes a violent initial punch, shocking linebackers at the second level and instantly halting their momentum. Once his hands are locked inside, he showcases the lower-body drive and leg churn necessary to finish blocks through the whistle. While he occasionally plays with high leverage, his raw power and competitive urgency allow him to consistently reset the line of scrimmage.
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Weaknesses
Wingfield's aggressive nature occasionally works against him, as he can get eager and overextend, leaving him vulnerable to quick counter-moves and swim techniques. His lateral agility and hip fluidity are relatively average, which limits his effectiveness when asked to pull or reach-block fluid defenders in space. Additionally, he needs to play with more consistent knee bend, as his leverage tends to rise over the course of sustained drives, allowing lower-leverage defenders to anchor against him.
Beyond the mechanical flaws, evaluating Wingfield requires accounting for his year out of college football. This extended layout introduces standard rust factors, particularly regarding his initial reaction times off the snap, visual processing against complex defensive slants, and overall conditioning over sustained drives. Teams will need to weigh his raw physical traits against the inevitable developmental curve required to get his competitive timing back to game speed.
Where does DJ Wingfield fit on the Cowboys
The Cowboys consistently seek quality depth for their offensive line through the draft, undrafted free agency (UDFA), and the UFL. They often discover hidden gems like Terence Steele (UDFA '20), TJ Bass (UDFA '23), and Nate Thomas (7th round '24). Steele is the poster child here, earning a starting spot as a rookie who shocked the staff in training camp.
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Wingfield faces stiff competition for the backup guard positions. Bass is a starter-level reserve, so Wingdfield will battle Trevor Keegan , Marcellus Johnson , and recent UFL standout Chris Glaser . At most, two of these five men will secure a spot on the 53-man roster. To earn a place on the main roster, Wingfield must excel in training camp, showcasing his physical prowess, improved lateral movement, fluidity, and a controlled chaos style of play, as if he hasn't been away from football for a year.
His best opportunity to make the team may be through the practice squad, where he can continue to develop and hone his skills. The chance to make the 53-man roster will be within reach.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Trojan Horse: Did Cowboys sneakily bring on next UDFA star in USC lineman?
