Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert says gift from Dak Prescott helped him be 'that dude' again

Cowboys receiver Jalen Tolbert didn’t enjoy the best of rookie seasons last fall. But quarterback Dak Prescott stepped in, giving him a meaningful gift.

It was a book. And if you’d like to know what the top NFL players enjoy, Prescott gifted Tolbert “Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable.” Tim Grover, the trainer for the likes of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, wrote the best-selling motivational book. And in the book, Grover “reveals what it takes to achieve total mental and physical dominance, showing you how to be relentless and achieve whatever you desire.” The description for the book says that Grover will spell out how to be relentless and “to trust your instincts” while finding your opponent’s weaknesses. Sounds like some light football bedtime reading.

Jalen Tolbert raved about the book and how it impacted him this offseason. He marked it up like he was back in college, studying for a test.

“I read it and highlighted (it),” Tolbert told reporters. “I looked at how other guys deal with obstacles mentally. (And) I went home, and to the Senior Bowl, saw all my family, friends and people in school and it reverted me to being that dude. I rewatched the stuff I did in college and then Dak hit me about running routes, and we jumped straight into it. Been working and building on that ever since. This offseason, I flushed [2022] and I’m ready for [2023].”

Jalen Tolbert, a third-rounder, only saw action on 89 snaps

The Cowboys selected Tolbert in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The team expected him to contribute his rookie season, especially after Dallas traded away Amari Cooper. But that never happened. Tolbert’s rookie performance could best be described as tepid. In all, he played in eight games, seeing action on only 89 offensive snaps. He was the target of a handful of passes, catching two of the three thrown his way. It all started in practices, when he thought too much about routes and plays. They made him tentative because they’d yet to become second nature.

So no wonder Prescott wanted to step in and help this youngster from South Alabama. And Dak isn’t the only Cowboys veteran giving Tolbert some confidence, making him feel more sure of himself. Tolbert said that Brandin Cooks, a long-time NFL player who is new to the Cowboys, is sharing what he knows. The two “go eat, we talk ball, we work out together, all the little things.”

“I’m excited to be able to jump into year two and get back to the dude that I was in college that got me here,” Jalen Tolbert said. “I’m confident I can be that guy and more. I started playing football late so I’m still learning to this day, and I’m not even sure where my ceiling is so I’m just excited to continue to keep going.”