FRISCO, Tx – The Dallas Cowboys are midway through Full Squad Minicamp and some underdogs are beginning to emerge from the pack with their performance level on the field; one such individual being No.32, cornerback Donovan Olumba.
Olumba was picked up by Dallas in 2018 as an undrafted free agent and spent the 2018 season on the practice squad. The 23-year old did not let that circumstance define who he is as a player. He continued to diligently work hard throughout the season and on several occasions last year, he was on the outdoor practice field working out individually and focusing on refining his technique. His drive and work ethic paid off.
On Wednesday at the Star, Olumba had his second consecutive interception during practice after one the previous day. He has the height and length combination that Kris Richard loves, and he is solid at both press man-to-man and zone coverage.
Olumba told me how he has progressed over the last year and enhanced his skills. “I’m getting stronger,” he said. “ That was the main focus for me last season and coming into this off-season. Doing more film work so I could get acclimated to the NFL game compared to college…. Just coming in and working everyday and trying to prove I belong. “
He has certainly done that throughout minicamp in the backfield. His teammate, wide receiver Amari Cooper, came over in the lock room and had to congratulate him on his two interceptions and impact in the secondary.
Cooper then became the subject line and when I asked how covering Amari has helped develop his game, he instantly responded, “ Man guarding Amari, I have never guarded a player like him before; with his type of quickness, suddenness, and burst. Him getting traded over halfway through last season is the best thing that could have happened to my career- against a type of caliber receiver like that. “
It is just the beginning for Donovan Olumba as he battles for a final spot on Dallas’ 53-man roster!
