It appears that Blake Jarwin is simply destined to remain a Cowboy.
The Tuttle native first walked on at Oklahoma State University as a blocking tight end who dabbled on special teams. By his junior season, he became a starter for Mike Gundy’s Cowboys and earned first-team All-Big 12 Conference recognition.
“I’ll cherish that time forever,” Jarwin says of his years in Stillwater. “I was grateful for the opportunity – just happy Coach Gundy gave me the opportunity to get to where I’m at today. I owe that whole program everything.
“They got me here and built me in every way possible, especially Coach [Rob] Glass, the strength coach. He’s done tremendous things for me.”
Jarwin now plays tight end for a different group of Cowboys, arguably the most famous team in sports, the NFL’s Dallas franchise, which was long ago branded by many as America’s Team.
Blake came to Dallas in a similar, unheralded fashion as he did to Stillwater – as an undrafted free agent in 2017. After being one of the Cowboys’ final cuts before that season, he landed on their practice squad.
“You’re involved in everything. The only thing you don’t do is travel on away games,” Jarwin says. “Every meeting you’re in, every practice you’re in, they don’t treat you differently because you’re on practice squad.
“Sometimes it’s just [a matter of] numbers at your position. You got to come to work with the mindset of ‘Hey, I’m going to do my job today.’ That’s all it is – staying motivated internally and pushing yourself every day.”
In October 2017, the Cowboys promoted Jarwin to their 53-man active roster and he made his NFL debut Nov. 12 on the road in Atlanta. He had no receptions in that game, but he will always remember it.
“I played 11 plays the whole game,” says Jarwin, adding that he was “overwhelmed, but at the same time did my job and performed well. Every game after that, it gets a little bit easier. I’ve still got a long way to go, but it’s been a great experience so far.”
Last season, he played all 16 regular-season and both playoff games for Dallas; he started four times. He saved his best for last with a career-best seven receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 17 victory over the New York Giants – a performance that earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Donning the shoulder pads for the NFL’s most famous franchise isn’t something Jarwin takes for granted.
“Yeah, I don’t think there’s any other place that’s as great as this place,” he says. “The facilities are top notch. Everything we do, we’re the Dallas Cowboys, so it’s grade A. It’s been a great opportunity.
“I learn every day I come into work. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
