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Cradle of Cowboys: Four former Northwest Louisiana prep stars make Dallas’ 53-man roster

The Shreveport area is the gift that keeps on giving for the Dallas Cowboys.

After the final cuts were made Tuesday, four local products made the Cowboys’ 53-man roster.

Dak Prescott (Haughton High School) will lead Dallas from the quarterback position for the ninth straight season. The runner-up in the NFL MVP race in 2023, the 31-year-old’s future with the club beyond 2024 is in doubt. However, he returns with the hopes of turning around the franchise’s postseason struggles (Prescott’s main weapon will be available when Dallas opens the season as CeeDee Lamb signed a $136 million contract Monday).

Former Woodlawn star Donovan Wilson is ready for his sixth season with the Cowboys. The 6-foot, 204-pound Texas A&M product was drafted by the Cowboys in the sixth round (2019). The 29-year-old started 30 games over the past two seasons and tied a career high with two interceptions in 2023.



Safety Israel Mukuamu is prepared for year No. 4 in the Metroplex. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound former Parkway Panther played in 29 games over the past two seasons and has one interception.

Finally, there is John Stephens Jr. Technically, the former Logansport High School standout made the club last year, but he spent the entire regular season on injured reserve after suffering a torn left ACL during the 2023 preseason.

The imposing tight end (6-foot-5, 221 pounds) ranked fourth among all tight ends with eight catches during the 2024 preseason. The Louisiana-Lafayette product ranked second on the Cowboys during in catches and receiving yards (75). He changed his jersey number from 46 last season to 81 for 2024.

Northwest Louisiana Cowboys

Israel Mukuamu

Safety, 6-foot-4, 205 pounds

Age: 24

Experience: 4 years

High school: Parkway



College: South Carolina

Dak Prescott

Quarterback, 6-2, 238

Age: 31

Experience: 9 years

High school: Haughton

College: Mississippi State

John Stephens Jr.

Tight end, 6-5, 221

Age: 24

Experience: 2 years

High school: Logansport

College: Louisiana-Lafayette

Donovan Wilson

Safety, 6-0, 204

Age: 29

Experience: 6 years

High school: Woodlawn

College: Texas A&M