Former SMU and Weber State wide receiver Jayleen Record outside of the Dallas Cowboys’ facility at The Star in Frisco on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Joseph Hoyt
FRISCO — Jayleen Record considers himself a realist. The former SMU and Weber State wide receiver knew, when he finished his college career, that he wouldn’t be a top pick in the NFL draft. And while he’s generated some interest from NFL teams this offseason, he figured there would be more — especially from his hometown team.
Every NFL team is allowed to host a local pro day for draft-eligible players from local high schools and universities. It’s often a big event with a ton of local prospects who get the chance to work out and test in NFL scouting combine events such as the 40-yard dash, the vertical jump and more. Record, to his surprise, wasn’t invited by the Cowboys to their Dallas Day.
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“It kind of hurt a little bit because I’m a Dallas guy,” said Record, who grew up a Cowboys fan and graduated from Madison. “I went to SMU, I speak to kids, I do a lot for the city. And obviously I was just hoping at least my home team would bring me in. And I got the numbers; I’ve got the numbers to compete.”
Which is why Record spent his Friday morning trying to make it easy for the Cowboys. He headed to the Cowboys’ facility at The Star in Frisco and stood outside the Ford Center. He had his cleats around his neck and a black beanie on his head from his predraft combine training. He also brought two signs. One said that he would be willing to take the cleats around his neck, put them on and run a 40-yard dash on the turf field outside The Star. He guaranteed he’d run a 4.3 or 4.4 40-yard dash, too. The other was his testing numbers from his Weber State pro day, including his 41-inch vertical jump — which would’ve tied him for fourth among receivers at the combine — and his 23 bench press repetitions, which would’ve ranked him third at the combine.
Record sounds like a confident realist when he says this, too.
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“I know I can compete with these guys,” said Record, a two-time captain at Weber State. “I know I can. It’s not like I think I can, or I have a feeling I can. It’s like I know I can. I’m ready, man.
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“I’m just looking for a shot.”
What Record did on Friday might sound familiar. Earlier this week, Freddie McGee III, a 27-year-old defensive player of the year in the Arena Football League, went viral for standing outside of the Detroit Lions facility with a sign. On it, he listed his statistics from the Arena League, noted that he didn’t have an agent and — just like Record — said that all he needed was a shot. McGee’s story ended up going viral, even landing him an interview on NFL Network and stories on ESPN and more.
Record saw McGee’s story, too. Which is why he was inspired to do the same thing.
“Anything I can do to get my name out, get more exposure before next week, I’m going to do it,” Record said.
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It’s because he believes there should be more interest. Record was a three-star recruit out of Madison in 2021. The 5-8 receiver and returner spent two seasons at SMU before he transferred to Weber State for his final three seasons. He finished his Weber State career with 72 receptions for  873 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Record then began his training for the draft. Even though he wasn’t at the combine, he watched. He also took out a notebook and wrote down the testing numbers of other receivers in the draft. He knew how he was testing and knew that he could have comparable numbers.
At his Weber State pro day he tested well. The only thing he wish he had more concrete was his 40-yard dash. He ran it in 40-degree weather. His times, he said, ranged from 4.35 to 4.5. He’s confident that if he had another chance he would run faster.
Record pointed to the value of a second chance. Brady Boyd, a Southlake Carroll alumnus, ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at his Utah State pro day. He was then invited to Texas Tech‘s pro day. Boyd played there before transferring. He made the most of his second chance, running a 4.38 40-yard dash at 6-1. Boyd was invited to Dallas Day.
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“If I had that type of shot, if I had a second opportunity to do it, I definitely would’ve ran a 4.2,” Record said, referring to previous 40-yard dashes he ran and a top speed he recorded as a ball carrier at Weber State of 22.83 mph. “No doubt … I could do it right now.”
Record started standing outside The Star at 8 a.m. Friday. He said he would stay for four hours because he had to get back home eventually. He and his wife welcomed their first born child almost two months to the day. He was ready to run if asked outside the Cowboys facility, however.
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A chance to work out for the Cowboys would mean something for Record. When talking about the team, he still uses the words we and us, like a normal fan would. His favorite player to watch is Cowboys wide receiver and returner KaVontae Turpin.
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Record — with his height, speed and playing style — sees a lot of himself in Turpin. Like Turpin, Record said he’s willing to do whatever it takes within reason to follow his NFL dreams. Turpin played in the Indoor Football League, the Fan Controlled Football League, the European League of Football and USFL before the Cowboys gave him a chance. Turpin then made the most of it. In his second preseason game he had a kickoff return and a punt return for a touchdown. Turpin has made the Pro Bowl in three of four seasons as a kick returner.
Record believes he could have a similar story. In his mind, he just needs a shot.