Buck Cowan did his best not to be too star-struck but it wasn't easy during his four days at The Star – the 91-acre campus that is world headquarters for the Dallas Cowboys.
 
Cowan, Idaho's starting tight end with a knack for the spectacular and known for his sure-handedness, was one of just eight free agents invited to the Cowboys' minicamp. It was what he expected – and so much more.
 
"You go in there and you're trying to earn a spot and everything and at the same time you see all the coaches and all these players – you have to pinch yourself and remind yourself you're in the same locker room as them," Cowan said Monday after returning home to Vancouver, Wash.  "It was amazing.
 
"The facilities were incredible. The coaching staff was awesome. It was just a great opportunity and a great experience."
 
While he left Dallas with an insight into the NFL world and a stash of Cowboys gear, he doesn't have a contract – yet. The Dallas staff, which includes former Vandal coach and player Scott Linehan, told him to stay in shape and keep running.
 
"They liked what I did," Cowan said. "I made a good first impression. I'm going to do what they said."
 
From the time he arrived Thursday afternoon until he left Sunday evening, Cowan said he was treated as a member of the team. The biggest challenge was learning the new terminology to put into use during the daily practices. After completing paperwork Thursday, the rest of his time there was devoted to meetings, walk-throughs, one-on-one drills and 90-minute practices.
 
"There was a lot of install," he said. "You have to try to wrap your head around everything they're trying to do in three short days. They're throwing a lot of stuff at you."
 
Nevertheless, Cowan didn't feel overwhelmed or intimidated.
 
"I did a pretty good job trying to understand what they were trying to get us to learn," said Cowan, who worked out at the same position he played at Idaho – a big receiver/smaller tight end hybrid. "It's so different from NFL to college but I wouldn't say anything really surprised me."
 
Well, maybe one thing.
 
"The meals were just amazing," he said. "The food was amazing."
 
While he's back home in Washington, he said he plans to put his recently acquired Business degree to use while he trains in the hopes of returning to the team that made him feel like one of its own.
 
"Everyone on the team was very friendly," he said. "I made some new friends. It's a great organization. They all wished us good luck."