As a senior at Auburn High School in Alabama, DeMarcus Ware didn't seem to be on a path to becoming arguably the top pass rusher in the NFL.
Running a 4.7 40-yard-dash as a wide receiver/linebacker didn't fetch him many scholarship offers. In fact, the Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker only received interest from one school – Troy, a university that played in what was once known as Division I-A.
But as Ware told high school players from Texas on Friday, one offer was enough. Troy was the only opportunity he needed to show scouts that he could play on Sundays.
Now, Ware is not only one of the most feared defenders in the league (99.5 sacks over seven seasons), he's giving other professionals tips on how to improve their craft.
During organized team activities and mini-camp at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch practice facility last month, Ware could often be seen giving advice and encouragement to other front-seven defenders. On other occasions, Ware has worked one-on-one with left tackle Tyron Smith, showing the 21-year-old what to expect from other pass rushers.
Ware might not appear to be the most vocal leader on the team but he leads in his own way.
"I feel like you have no choice, sometimes the outside linebackers or pass rushers ask me how I do a move and I'm not a guy that wouldn't tell them," Ware explained Friday at the Red Bull 7-on-7 tournament at Jesuit High School in Dallas. "I want to show you exactly how to do it because it's going to help me out and it's going to help the team out.
"I'll do whatever I can to help the team out. I also want to take on that leadership role of, 'What can I do to help the team?' I think sometimes it takes those small things to do that."
Those OTAs and mini-camp sessions were something the Cowboys didn't have last season because of the NFL lockout. Having those opportunities, along with a full offseason with head coach Jason Garrett and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, Ware says, "Guys are playing a lot more comfortable and a lot more aggressive."
That's a comment that should please Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones. In May, Jones told reporters that the Cowboys' championship window was closing on their current group.
In an interview with the NFL Network, Jones mentioned that having Ware, Tony Romo and Jason Witten in the prime of their careers meant the Cowboys needed to "strike and strike soon with those guys."
Asked about Jones' comments on Friday, the Cowboys' most valuable defender was on board with the team owner.
"I feel like from my standpoint, we're a better team than we were last year, and it's going to show on the field," Ware said. "Jerry saying that the window's closing, I'm with Jerry. The window can be closing. It closes every year. It just depends on if you're going to walk through that door or not. I'm with Jerry on that."
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