Can Longhorns Ex Jaydon Blue 'Get It Right' at Dallas Cowboys Training Camp?

Jaydon Blue's rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys left a lot to be desired for the speedster from the University of Texas.

With the Longhorns in 2024, Blue was electric in both the run and pass game for Steve Sarkisian.

As the Horns enter a completely new era of their running back room, which has made a habit of churning out NFL talent in recent years, Blue enters another year of competition for second-string status behind the Cowboys' 1,000-yard rusher Javonte Williams.

Much of Blue's shortcomings as a rookie fell on a lack of consistency in practice and poor ball security when he saw the field.

However, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer still believes in the young rusher, along with former Clemson back Phil Mafah, who competes with Blue for the RB2 spot, and Malik Davis, who came on strong during the season to fill the spot on occasion.

"I'm excited about it," Schottenheimer said about the competition before Dallas' first practice in Oxnard, Calif., at training camp. The Cowboys don't put on the pads until this first weekend of camp, but the coach is being intentional about Blue's development, specifically, before physicality ramps up.

"Jaydon Blue is a guy we've talked about since the minute he stepped on campus," Schotty said.

The coach mentioned how new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, remembered being worried about Blue's skillset before Dallas' Week 1 game in Philly.

"That shows you that he's a guy that we need to take the next step. I think he's going to do that. He understands his role, but he's exciting."

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Minutes later, Blue got the show started.

Our own Mike Fisher is in Oxnard and recalls an explosive burst by Blue during the non-contact team portion.

Over on CowboysRoundtable.com, we coined the phrase "Thunder and Lightning" to represent the Cowboys' vision for Blue (the lightning-quick speed) and Mafah (the bruising, thunderous physicality) after the two were drafted on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Although this came before the bellcow Williams turned in a career-best year that earned him a contract extension, we believe the vision remains intact for the youngsters.

Fish recalls from Wednesday's practice that Mafah fumbled the ball and was immediately subbed out for Blue.

"On the next play, Jaydon Blue goes in after the fumble and sprints 45 yards for a real-life touchdown."

"I have a really good chance to get it right," Blue told reporters after practice. "My speed is what I'm best at. Once I get in the open field and it's 1-on-1, I don't think anyone in this league can stand a chance."

So far, Blue is off to a great start to Year 2.