With the NFL Combine just around the corner, fans are gearing up to see the top prospects in the 2026 draft class showcase their athleticism and football IQ under the bright lights of Indianapolis. The big names will get their airtime - that’s a given.
But for teams like the Dallas Cowboys, the Combine is also a chance to do a little local scouting. And that’s where “Dallas Day” comes in.
Every year, in addition to hosting up to 30 nationally recognized prospects for official pre-draft visits, the Cowboys also invite a group of around 50 local draft-eligible players to The Star in Frisco. These visits, known as Dallas Day, typically take place in early to mid-April and offer the team a closer look at homegrown talent - players who may not be household names yet, but who could be diamonds in the rough.
The eligibility criteria for Dallas Day are pretty specific: a player qualifies if he played high school or college ball in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, was born there, or if his parents currently reside in the region. That DFW boundary stretches from Sanctuary in the west to Princeton in the east, and from Prosper in the north to Glenn Heights in the south. Colleges like TCU, SMU, and North Texas fall within that footprint, giving the Cowboys access to a solid pipeline of local talent.
And the event has paid off in the past. Dallas Day has introduced the Cowboys to players who went on to carve out real roles on the roster - think Patrick Crayton, Cole Beasley, Lance Dunbar, and more recently, Connor Williams and DeMarvion Overshown. These weren’t always high-profile prospects, but they earned their stripes and made an impact.
While we don’t yet know which local players will be invited to Dallas Day this year, we do know which 319 prospects received invites to the 2026 NFL Combine - and among them, there’s a group of 21 who qualify as local for the Cowboys. These are players who could be in play for Dallas Day, giving the team a chance to bring them in without using up one of their limited national visit slots.
Here’s a look at the local combine invitees, sorted by their ranking on the PFF big board:
- Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State - Hailing from Allen, TX, Tyson is one of the more highly ranked local prospects. He brings speed and route-running polish that could turn heads in Indy.
- Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas - From Denton, TX, Hill is a physical, sideline-to-sideline linebacker with the kind of athletic traits that translate well to the next level.
- Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt - Also from Denton, Stowers is a converted quarterback with intriguing size and athleticism at tight end.
- Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky - A Mesquite, TX native, McGowan is a powerful back with burst and vision, looking to re-establish his stock after a winding college journey.
- Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas - A product of Dallas, Muhammad is a smooth cover corner with upside as a boundary defender.
- Bud Clark, SAF, TCU - Though originally from Alexandria, LA, Clark played his college ball in Fort Worth and brings experience and range to the safety position.
- Eric McAlister, WR, TCU - From Azle, TX, McAlister offers size and contested catch ability, a potential red zone weapon.
- Ar’maj Reed-Adams, G, Texas A&M - A mauler from DeSoto, TX, Reed-Adams is a physical interior lineman who could fit the Cowboys’ power run game.
- **J.
Michael Sturdivant, WR, Florida** - From Highland Village, TX, Sturdivant is a big-bodied receiver with vertical ability.
- Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas - A dual-threat quarterback from Lewisville, TX, Green brings size and athleticism to the position - a developmental project with upside.
- RJ Maryland, TE, SMU - From Southlake, TX, Maryland is a smooth route runner with good hands, part of a deep tight end group at the Combine.
- Ahmaad Moses, SAF, SMU - Arlington, TX native with solid instincts and tackling ability at safety.
- Matthew Hibner, TE, SMU - Though from Burke, VA, Hibner played at SMU and adds to the list of tight ends with local ties.
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU - Originally from Hayward, CA, but having played at TCU, Elarms-Orr is a rangy linebacker with special teams potential.
- Charles Demmings, CB, Stephen F. Austin - From Mesquite, TX, Demmings is a lesser-known name but one to watch with solid measurables.
- Namdi Obiazor, LB, TCU - Though from Minnesota, his time at TCU makes him eligible. Obiazor is a physical presence in the middle of the defense.
- DJ Campbell, G, Texas - From Arlington, TX, Campbell is a steady guard prospect with a strong anchor and good movement skills.
- Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU - A Garland, TX native with explosive playmaking ability.
- Louis Moore, SAF, Indiana - From Mesquite, TX, Moore is a physical safety who isn’t afraid to come downhill and hit.
- Febechi Nwaiwu, G, Oklahoma - From Coppell, TX, Nwaiwu is a developmental guard prospect with intriguing tools.
- DJ Rogers, TE, TCU - Another TCU product, Rogers adds to the tight end depth in this year’s class.
While some of these names are already on the radar for fans and scouts alike, others are flying under it - for now. But the Combine has a way of turning unknowns into fast risers, and with Dallas Day on the horizon, the Cowboys will have another close-up look at these local prospects.
Don’t be surprised if one or more of these players ends up in a Cowboys uniform down the line. History tells us that Dallas Day isn’t just about filling out the roster - it’s about finding value where others might not be looking. And with this list in hand, you’re ahead of the curve.