It wasn\u2019t about Downs\u2019 playing career, which included three All-American honors in three seasons. Instead, Jones\u2019 compliment was more focused on Downs\u2019 demeanor and his potential as a leader \u2014 inspired by a current team leader he\u2019s seen for over a decade now.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe reminds me of Dak [Prescott],\u201d Jones said. \u201cHe really does. He\u2019s a pied piper.\u201d<\/p>\n
It hasn\u2019t taken long for Prescott to understand the comparison.
\u00a0
\u201cJust honestly, I can say in just the month or whatever I\u2019ve been around the kid and watching the kid, hell, I think I take it as a compliment when those comparisons come around,\u201d Prescott told The Dallas Morning News.<\/p>\n
Even in that limited work, however, Prescott has been impressed with Downs.<\/p>\n
Prescott \u2014 speaking with The News after taking a Cowboys fan on a fishing trip in Port Aransas through an AT&T sweepstakes \u2014 said he had heard about Downs prior to meeting him. Seeing him in person backed up what he heard.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow professional he is, how calm he is; quiet, yet confident,\u201d Prescott said. \u201cIt\u2019s contagious. You feel it. He\u2019s a man who\u2019s sure of who he is. When you are that way in this business you know you can speak up, speak out. You can say things you believe and age\u00a0doesn\u2019t really matter, because you know you\u2019re doing the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Downs has proven his confidence before. Former Ohio State star receiver Cris Carter wore No. 2 for the Buckeyes. He recently told the story of how he first met Downs. He saw him on the field before the game and told him that you have to be a \u201cbad dude\u201d to wear that number at Ohio State.
\u201cI consider myself the best to ever wear it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Downs, according to Carter, then slowly turned and smiled and said, \u201cuntil now.\u201d<\/p>\n