Only two years ago, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith was just a rookie trying to figure out where he fit in on his first pro team's offensive line as the outside world questioned if he was even worth a first-round selection in the first place.
Fast forward to 2024, and he's become one of the top rising offensive guards in the NFL, with second-team All-Pro honors to certify his efforts. But he understands he's gotta be more than that as he takes on a bigger leadership role on the Cowboys now that he's a third-year player.
"Being in the O-line room, being around the great guys that I have, Zack (Martin), Tyron (Smith), (Terence Steele), Jason Peters, all those guys, they imparted on me a lot of knowledge and it's my job to pass that knowledge on to continue to make sure that the standard of our room is held you long after I'm gone and especially while I'm here," Smith told reporters on Tuesday upon arriving to training camp, which kicks off Wednesday.
Smith, who earlier in the offseason revealed he even studied first-round rookie Tyler Guyton's film from rookie minicamp, is putting words into action already, as he's making it a point to share his advice with the team's rookies coming in, which include potential starters Guyton and third-rounder Cooper Beebe.
Smith's message to them didn't try to soften the blow, as he had a strong-worded warning for his new teammates:
"It's fast, I told them when they came in, this first year is going to be the longest year of your life," Smith said. "They went through a whole college season, then they did all combine training, then they come in, they do OTAs, and then offseason training."
Smith, who has been through it himself, knows how to deal with the pressure, though. It starts with a support system, something we hear NFL players talk about all the time.
"One thing I impart upon them is just find your process and (stay) level-headed, make sure you have a good support system around you, obviously we're going to be there for them as a room," added Smith. "But just making sure that they keep, they protect their energy because it is a long year and it's going to be challenging."
Very soon, Smith will be taking the field on the daily with the team's rookies and the advice will move from off-the-field stuff to on-field action as the Cowboys try to overcome the uncertainty of having two OL starters walk in free agency. What has become clear is that Tyler is already a leader within the locker room.
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