(Editor's Note: As part of the preparation for training camp, this series will introduce 25 players who are new to the Cowboys' roster, rookies and veterans alike. We continue with Corey Crooms.)
How He Got Here: Crooms spent his first four collegiate seasons carving out a name for himself at Western Michigan before finishing his eligibility at Minnesota, where he truly caught the watchful eye of the Cowboys' scouting department. In 2023, he grabbed 28 catches for 376 yards after catching 115 passes for 1,766 yards and 12 touchdowns in 42 games at WMU — earning honors as a Second-Team All-MAC talent in 2022. His best game at Western Michigan occurred in 2021 when Crooms torched the University of Pittsburgh for eight catches, 161 receiving yards and a touchdown during an upset win over the Panthers.
What's Next: A very real battle is what's next. Crooms is an undrafted free agent who flashed a time or two in the offseason program but now, with training camp upon him, he'll be tasked with showing tremendous value on special teams to earn a role on the active roster that might later translate into opportunities on the offensive side of the ball.
Considering how stacked the WR position is with talent going into 2024, and everyone not named CeeDee Lamb or Brandin Cooks clamoring for a shot at reps, Crooms will need to lean heavily on making plays for both John "Bones" Fassel and Mike McCarthy.
Crooms is one of three rookie wide receivers on the Cowboys' roster, along with fellow undrafted WR Cam Johnson (Northwestern) and sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy.
Did You Know: Crooms earned All-Conference honors during his time at Hillcrest High School in Illinois, an early nod to his ability on the field.
