Zion Childress could go from UDFA to starter for Dallas Cowboys
From Wildcats to Cowboys: Zion Childress Making a Name for Himself in Dallas
The former Kentucky Wildcat is on the cusp of becoming a starter for the Dallas Cowboys just months after going undrafted. Zion Childress, a Houston native who finished his college career with three seasons at Kentucky, has impressed during training camp and preseason games, making a strong case for a starting spot at nickel cornerback.
Childress' Rise Through the Ranks
After playing two seasons at Texas State, Childress transferred to Kentucky, quickly becoming a standout player for the Wildcats. He started every game over his final three years in Lexington, earning All-SEC Honorable Mention recognition and racking up 148 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Despite going undrafted in the spring, Childress signed with Dallas as a free agent.
His performance during training camp has caught the attention of coaches. Injuries to other players have opened up opportunities, and Childress has seized them. He's been taking first-team reps alongside veterans DaRon Bland and Kaiir Elam. In the preseason opener against the Rams, Childress led the Cowboys defense with six tackles (five solo) including a tackle for loss.
Confidence Built on Hard Work
"It’s been great for me," Childress said of his start in Dallas. "Just being able to show my ability to play football and play fast and eventually, when game time comes, I can show that I play physical." He added, “They’ll love you or they’ll hate you, and they just started loving me, and everybody followed suit.”
Childress attributes his success to his work ethic. "I was always taught you show people with your work ethic who you are," he said.
Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer has also been impressed. “Zion has done a nice job for a young player,” Schottenheimer said last week. “I think you see some of the skills that we saw coming out of Kentucky that we really liked, but we’ll keep trying different groups and units.”
A Familiar Path to Success
Childress' trajectory echoes his time at Kentucky. He transitioned from a lesser-known player to a fan favorite and key contributor on defense. At Kentucky, Childress played multiple safety spots and nickel corner under coaches Mark Stoops and Brad White. Now in Dallas, he's showcasing the same versatility.
His performance has ignited excitement among fans and analysts alike, with many predicting that Childress could secure a starting role for the Cowboys come opening day against the Philadelphia Eagles.