On Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys addressed their defense, taking former Boston College standout EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku in the second round and former East Carolina star cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. in the third.
Revel Jr. was projected to be a first-round pick when the 2024 college football season began. However, it was abruptly ended by a torn ACL last September. Despite this injury, the Cowboys believed the former East Carolina star was worth taking a flier on in the third round.
The rookie cornerback looks to be on track in his rehab process and gave an encouraging update at the start of Cowboys’ rookie minicamp on Friday.
"Right now I can pretty much do everything," Revel said (h/t Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com). "Running straight line, cutting, haven't gotten too much into that, just trying to take it day by day, trying to take it slow."
This is great news if you are a Cowboys fan, as Revel is only seven months removed from injury. Dallas team doctor Dan Cooper performed the surgery on Revel’s knee. Cooper also offered high remarks on Revel’s recovery in the weeks leading up to the draft, likely playing a part in the rookie cornerback ultimately ending up with the Cowboys.
When healthy, the 6-foot-2 Revel has the size and skills to be a starting-caliber cornerback in the NFL. In three seasons at East Carolina, Revel had 71 combined tackles, 16 pass breakups, four tackles for loss, three interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, a sack, and a fumble recovery.
The rookie cornerback’s next goal is to be ready to play when training camp begins in July in Oxnard, California. The Cowboys would love for that to be the case, especially with veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs working his way back from left knee surgery in January, which could sideline him for a portion of training camp.