FRISCO — Caelen Carson has spent the last two days waiting.
The Wake Forest cornerback thought his name would be called in the third or fourth round of the NFL Draft. His mother, Latasha Owens, invited what he called “the whole world” into her home.
But on Saturday afternoon, Carson got the call after being selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round (174th overall).
“Yeah, I mean, it was definitely a huge relief for me, because yesterday was supposed to be my immediate family, and my mom was inviting the whole world,” Carson said. “And today, the world came together again and I was just hoping that I would get drafted, but once I got turned away, I was like, 'I don't know what's going to happen.' It's definitely a relief for me. was.”
Carson (5-11, 195 pounds) totaled 42 tackles, eight pass deflections and one forced fumble in 2023. He finished his collegiate career with 120 total tackles, three interceptions, and 29 pass breakups.
He accepted an invitation to this year's Senior Bowl, but sat out with a sprained foot. Carson was unable to work out at the combine due to his injury.
Carson said he is perfectly healthy.
I don't know why he didn't get drafted, but his health is an issue. Carson has missed games the past three seasons with various injuries.
“This comes with it,” he said. “If you play a lot of games, you're going to get injured. You're going to get cuts and bruises. But at the end of the day, you have to keep going, so it's like always going to the next season and the next game. I never stopped coming back. I think I have a strong mindset. So I don't think anything like that will ever bring me down.”
Carson, a fourth-year starter, ran a 4.52 40 at his pro day, and it's clear that his health is improving.
As for why he fell, he said, “I have no idea.'' “I haven't quite figured it out yet. But I'm where I'm supposed to be. It's God's plan. I'm in the right place.”
Carson is the third defensive player selected by the team in this year's draft, joining Western Michigan's Marshawn Kneeland and Notre Dame's Marist Liufau.
Carson will likely play in the slot and be a key special teams player. Carson played on every special teams unit in college.
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