Former Weber State receiver and return man Jayleen Record lists the Dallas Cowboys as his favorite team. But that’s just reason No. 1 for fans of America’s Team to root for the kid, it turns out. He has also fought through homelessness and the recent loss of his father, who died of cancer, while attempting to fight his way onto an NFL roster.
And on Friday, with six days to go before the NFL holds its draft in Pittsburgh, the Cowboys found that Record had taken a very strange step in order to get noticed by the team: he showed up at The Star in Frisco with a pair of cleats dangling off his neck, and, as Dallas Morning News reporter Joseph Hoyt documented with photos, a posterboard reading asking the team to let him run the 40-yard dash for them.
According to Record’s sign, he guaranteed a 4.3-4.4 second time.
The sign also read: “Dallas made!! NFL ready!! SMU/Weber State 2x Team Captain.”
Jayleen Record Ready to Run the 40 for the Cowboys
Record also included his pro day numbers, and the fact that he reached a top speed of 22.8 mph during his last season. He recorded five touchdowns of 30 yards or more, he added. Record started his career with two seasons, but finished with three years at Weber State. Sounds like a Cowboys type.
Hoyt wrote on Twitter/X: “Jayleen Record — a former Madison HS and SMU receiver as well — was confident he could run a 4.3 40-yard dash today. The two-time captain at Weber State brought his Pro Day numbers as well, that included a 41-inch vertical and 23 reps on the bench at 5-foot-8.”
He also quoted Record: ““If I didn’t feel like I had a real shot, I wouldn’t do this.”
Jayleen Record’s Father Battled Cancer
Again, it’s hard not to root for Record to become a member of the Dallas Cowboys very soon. In a Q and A with NFL Draft Diamonds, Record named the Cowboys as his favorite team and was asked about the most adversity he had overcome in his life.
Said Record: “Losing my father and experiencing homelessness. I watched my superhero fight cancer while still taking care of our family. That experience shaped my resilience, perspective, and appreciation for life and opportunity.”
He added: “I watched him battle cancer while still providing for our family. Before he passed, it felt like he was fading and passing me the torch at the same time. I honor him by how I live and work. I also wrote a book about his life titled ‘A Man’s Man.’”
Cowboys Take Notice
It is most likely, though, that Record will go undrafted here in 2026, but certainly, he hopes to circulate his name enough to warrant a post-draft signing, whether by the Cowboys or another team. Dallas has KaVontae Turpin in the role of undersize return man/speedster receiver, so there might not be room on this roster.
But perhaps Record will get a look elsewhere. His determination has gotten some attention. Former Cowboys receiver and DLLS contributor Jesse Holley posted to Cowboys great Michael Irvin about Record:
“Hey @michaelirvin88 Mannnnnn I Wish There Something Out There Where Guys Like This Could Possibly Earn An Opportunity To Showcase His Talent & Maybe, Who Knows, Possibly Get A Camp Invite To A NFL Team I Mean, Maybe A Wild Idea But Surely Crazier Things Have Happen.”
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